Didier Deschamps blasts Anthony Martial for confidence crisis as he snubs Man Utd winger for France’s friendly against England
ANTHONY MARTIAL has been accused of suffering a confidence crisis by French boss Didier Deschamps.
Manchester United star Martial has not been called up into Les Bleus squad for the forthcoming matches against Paraguay, Sweden and England on June 13 in Paris.
Manchester United’s Anthony Martial has been axed by France national team boss Didier DeschampsReuters
Martial, 21, has started four of United’s last five League games but has been overlooked for Jesse Lingard in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Europa League.
Deschamps said: “Even though Anthony is playing a little bit more since Zlatan’s injury, he has a limited amount of playing time. He’s been doing some good things but he’s not as decisive as he was before.
“The two things are linked. Perhaps he’s lost a bit of confidence, a bit of rhythm. He has the quality, the potential, as Anthony showed last season.
“But it’s normal to have a dip – he had a very packed season last year.
French boss Didier Deschamps has left Anthony Martial out of France’s squad to face EnglandGetty Images
“There’s been a change of coach, maybe a different system as well. You know it can happen to more experienced players, but for young players, it happens practically all the time.
“There has been a little bit of a dip, a lack of confidence. It can take a bit of time.”
United boss Jose Mourinho has yet to be completely convinced by Martial who joined from Monaco for £38million two years ago.
Anthony Martial hasn’t completely won over Manchester United boss Jose MourinhoReuters
Deschamps added: “If you’re playing less, when you do play then you have to be decisive, you’re not allowed to make any mistakes. It’s a difficult climate for any player, whether he’s 20 or 30.
“If he’s playing and he’s full of confidence, he won’t have the same impact as if he’s lacking a bit of confidence. They might have choices to make.”
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Paul Pogba was praised by Didier Deschamps for his season at Manchester UnitedRex Features
The French boss also believes Paul Pogba has enjoyed a good season at Old Trafford after his move from Juventus.
Former Chelsea midfielder Deschamps said: “He’s hard a very, very long season because now they are through to the Europa League final on the 24th.
They’ve accumulated a lot of matches, which has led to a few injuries he didn’t have up until now.
“Overall I think he’s had a good season. Obviously there’s a lot expected of him, that he does extraordinary things.
“There is a huge amount of volume to his game and it might sometimes happen that he by trying to do too much, he spreads himself a little bit thin. But he’s played well, he’s been consistent, he’s scored goals and created them.
Kurt Zouma was called up to the France squadAP:Associated Press
“He’s also done much better in another area and that is becoming more useful to the team, which is the same for us, in the way he wins the ball back. I am obviously counting on him.”
Chelsea’s fit-again Kurt Zouma was called up yesterday but there was no place again for Karim Benzema.
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