Deschamps to manage Mbappe's workload
Kylian Mbappe is ready to start games for France, but coach Didier Deschamps is keen not to overwork the Monaco teenager.
Didier Deschamps will carefully manage the workload of Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, although the teenager is "ready" to start games for France.
Mbappe was an unused substitute in France's 5-0 friendly win over Paraguay on Friday due to a minor thigh injury as the 18-year-old comes off the back of winning Ligue 1 with his club.
Deschamps indicated he will continue to keep Mbappe out of the side due to the number of games the young forward has played, with France in World Cup qualifying action against Sweden on Friday.
"If you ask him, he's ready, he's sure. He's capable of starting a match, he's already done it against Spain," Deschamps told reporters.
"He has shown with his club, in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, that he is performing and decisive. It can be the same with us.
"I manage him like the other players. He will learn how to cope and manage training. But I prefer to calm him rather than shake him up."
French Gang May 31, 2017
Giroud is favourite to start in attack for France against Sweden after scoring a hat-trick against Paraguay and Deschamps defended the Arsenal striker from his critics.
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"I talk about it with him, then there are things he can control: what he does on the pitch," Deschamps said. "After that, there are other elements that come into play.
"He knows what he can do. He knows I have confidence in him. I told him after the Paraguay match.
"There are criticisms that are exaggerated. I sometimes find them unfair. If you ask Olivier to take the ball and eliminate three opponents, that's not what he does. He continues to prove himself and will need to do so in the future. The only way to silence critics is to continue performing."
Revivez la superbe ambiance qui a entouré le succès des Bleus au Roazhon Park de Rennes vendredi ! June 4, 2017
Deschamps' former Juventus and France team-mate Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid to Champions League glory on Saturday.
Zidane's side became the first to defend the title by beating Juve 4-1 in Cardiff, and the 48-year-old praised the Madrid coach.
"It's fabulous," Deschamps said. "Nobody had done it. I'm very happy for him. He omits a lot of serenity, of tranquillity. He knows his players very well and they repay him on the pitch."