Ibrahima Konate reacts to losing France starting berth to Arsenal star William Saliba
Arsenal star William Saliba featured in every minute of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign as the Gunners finished behind Manchester City despite their best efforts in the title race, and he has been rewarded with a starting place in the French national team at the ongoing European Championship.
France manager Didier Deschamps had reservations over the Gunners centre-back heading into the tournament but has paired him alongside Dayot Upamecano in the heart of their defence.
Saliba played every minute of the three group stage games, which has seen his Liverpool counterpart Ibrahima Konate miss out on action.
The Reds star has lost his starting berth to his Arsenal counterpart and has reacted to watching Euro 2024 from the bench so far.
“I am lucky to have my own self-reflection,” he admitted at a press conference ahead of the Belgium game.
“I can bring a lot of positive things to the team.
“My role is to not show my frustration. I’m playing PlayStation, I am speaking with everyone, I am happy to be here, even if I want to be playing.
“I came with a lot of expectations, that’s part of football. I knew what my place was before the first match. It’s frustrating but I know my role on and off of the field.
“A 100% “Ibou” would never have sat on the bench. I didn’t play for a month and a half! I prepared, I almost passed out more than once. The preparation was very short. It’s part of football. It was a good lesson for me.”
France take on Belgium later on Monday in the round of 16 game and Saliba is expected to retain his spot.
Les Bleus have kept two clean sheets and conceded once so far at Euro 2024, and the Arsenal star has been crucial to their success at the back.
Saliba has completed 96% of his passes attempted under high-intensity pressure at the tournament (52/54) – the best such completion rate of any player to have played a minimum of 50 passes.
He recorded the best pass success rate (96.5%) of any player in the group stage and will be hungry to do more going forward.
France are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024, and doing so will ensure Saliba ends the summer with his Arsenal heartbreak mended.
Missing out on the Premier League title was a bitter pill to swallow for the Frenchman and his teammates after the incredible campaign they had, and he will be desperate to win the European Championship and keep proving himself to Deschamps and co.
