France Manager Didier Deschamps has sympathy for star player Antoine Griezmann, who is currently not enjoying the best of tides.
He says the challenges he has are a matter of time.
Antoine Griezmann is, like injury-ridden Paul Pogba, a player still seen as key to Deschamps’ plans, despite scoring only three goals in LaLiga last season.
“He’s not a robot. Obviously the head controls the legs,” Deschamps explained. “But every player encounters, sooner or later, a period of playing less well.
“This translates, then, into a loss of confidence.
“Antoine has had high-intensity seasons. Before his physical issue at the beginning of the year [a thigh injury], he had always been spared from injuries during his career.
“A few months earlier, he had changed clubs. External elements may also have impacted it.
“I know him well. He has a big mind. He needed to regenerate and will do everything to return to his best level. He represents a plus for the France team.”
For now the focus is on getting France in the best condition heading into the World Cup, even as former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane continues to be linked to Deschamps’ job.
The France boss, for his part, is not worried, saying: “I’ve always put the France team above me, above everything.
“Today, the place is not free, since I occupy it with my staff. Afterwards, everyone has the freedom to say what he wants and how he wants. On me, it has no impact.
“The interest, today, for the players and the whole squad, is to be efficient at the World Cup. Anything that can defeat this common goal is not necessarily a good thing.”
