### William Saliba Preferred Over Ibrahima Konate as France Kicks Off Euro 2024 Campaign
Arsenal defender William Saliba has been selected over Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate as France begins its Euro 2024 journey against Austria. This decision comes after Saliba’s impressive performances in the Premier League, where he played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s title challenge last season. The 23-year-old center-back has been a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s defense, delivering numerous standout performances.
Despite Saliba’s domestic success, French national team manager Didier Deschamps has been hesitant to fully integrate the former Saint-Etienne player into his starting lineup. Saliba made his international debut in early 2022 and has since accumulated 15 caps for France. However, he has often found himself on the bench, overshadowed by the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Raphael Varane.
During the World Cup in Qatar, Saliba was part of the squad but saw limited action as Upamecano and Varane were the preferred central defensive duo. Even after Varane’s retirement from international football, Saliba has had to bide his time, with Konate and Upamecano often getting the nod.
Konate’s second season at Anfield was marked by injuries, leading to an inconsistent campaign. This has seemingly opened the door for Deschamps to consider other options. In pre-tournament friendlies against Canada and Luxembourg, Deschamps experimented with both Saliba and Konate, but remained cautious about starting the Arsenal defender.
Deschamps, speaking before the World Cup, acknowledged Saliba’s excellence in the Premier League: “William is one of the very best defenders in the Premier League. I want him to do what he does very well at Arsenal.”
As France embarks on its Euro 2024 campaign, the decision to start Saliba over Konate signals a potential shift in Deschamps’ strategy. Saliba’s rise in the Premier League has not gone unnoticed, and now he has the opportunity to showcase his talent on the European stage. Fans will be watching closely to see how Saliba performs and whether he can solidify his place as a mainstay in the French defense.
