Deschamps dismisses Pogba concerns

Didier Deschamps was giving little away regarding his team selection ahead of France's clash with Albania in Marseille on Wednesday and dismissed questions relating to Paul Pogba's inconsistent displays for Les Bleus.

Pogba has developed into one of European football's best midfielders at Juventus, helping the Bianconeri to Scudetto success in each of his four years in Turin.

He has failed to replicate that dynamic club form on a regular basis for France, though.

Asked why, Deschamps said: "He doesn't have the same shirt on. He's not playing in the same formation. Juventus play with three centre-backs but that hasn't prevented Paul from playing good games with us.

"He's played some less impressive games but I am not asking myself how to use him in a similar fashion to how he is used by Juventus.

"He has also shown he can perform for the French national team."

Deschamps gave a curt "you'll find out tomorrow night" to questions regarding his line-up following reports both Pogba and Antoine Griezmann would be dropped.

It seems likely Dimitri Payet - the matchwinner with a spectacular late strike against Romania on Friday - will keep his place, however, with the West Ham playmaker receiving glowing praise from Deschamps.

Les Blues' boss added: "I think he's really improved, you can see that from his club performances.

"He's always been very technically gifted, and now he's very consistent. He has put in a lot of work to get to this level.

"He deserves the credit for being able to get to the level he is at now. As we saw when he joined up with us in February, he was sure of his playing style. Clearly what he did in the first game has put the spotlight on him and that's great."

France produced a patchy performance against Romania at the Stade de France and Deschamps is hoping his players will move the ball quicker in Marseille.

He said: "We'd like to be neater and tidier, get forward quicker from one phase to another. As we saw, Romania pressed us very well and we struggled to find the gaps so the quicker we can shift the ball the better it will be.

"Albania are a very well-organised side as they have an Italian coach [Gianni De Biasi] who has done an excellent job. They defend well but don't just settle on defence, they break very quickly and work very hard.

"They have good attacking players who can cause sides problems and they created a number of chances in the first game."

As a former Marseille player and coach, Deschamps was relishing the opportunity to bring his team to the Velodrome.

"There's a great atmosphere here, the crowd are really fired up and everyone gets very excited. This is a proper football stadium and it will be fiery on Wednesday night as there will also be lots of Albanian fans here."

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed