France head coach Didier Deschamps has underlined that he will not be taking injured players to the World Cup next month, sparking further fears for Raphael Varane’s inclusion.
The Manchester United centre-half has been ruled out until the season pauses for the tournament following his knee injury sustained in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. He left the Stamford Bridge pitch in tears after picking up his latest setback with concern about his availability for the world champions.
While the injury turned out not to be not as serious as first feared, Varane still faces a race against time to recover. The 29-year-old lifted the World Cup with France in 2018 after playing every single minute.
READ MORE: Manchester United confirm extent of Raphael Varane injury
But that is not a factor Les Blues boss Deschamps will be considering, it seems. The manager who guided France to the crown last time has insisted he will not be taking injured players to Qatar as they “take up too much attention” for the medical staff.
Speaking to Brut, via GFFN, said: “That’s clear and concise. I’ve said it before, I’ve never gone to a major competition with an injured player.
“Going to a major competition with players who aren’t fit takes up too much attention. And for those who do play, it takes up the medical staff’s time.”
Varane isn’t the only World Cup winner to potentially face a heartbreaking phone call. Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante has already been ruled out of the competition with a hamstring injury while Paul Pogba has only just re-joined Juventus training after picking up a meniscus problem in pre-season.
Deschamps said that all players will need to prove their fitness before being considered for selection, admitting that these next few weeks are “important stages.”
He added: “One [thing they must prove] is that the player has recovered. That’s a condition. Without that, there isn’t even a question to be asked. The second thing is to evaluate their athletic condition. But this second condition can only exist if the first one is guaranteed.
“Everything depends on how long they will have been out for, the number of matches they will have played between their injury and when they join up with us. And a third aspect, which is the competition in that position.”
France have a plethora of centre-back options which include Arsenal’s William Saliba, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain, among others.
READ NEXT:
