As the World Cup spotlight intensifies, Didier Deschamps has drawn a protective shield around Kylian Mbappé, shielding his star player from the media maelstrom and political scrutiny that's been following him like a shadow. The Les Bleus boss knows all too well the pressures of managing a global icon like Mbappé, and he's using every trick in the book to safeguard his team's mental and physical well-being ahead of their crunch World Cup opener against Senegal.
Deschamps' masterstroke was keeping Mbappé out of sight at yesterday's pre-match press conference, where N'Golo Kanté did the talking instead. The 57-year-old manager made it clear that his priority is protecting his players from the cutthroat world of global football, a world where every move they make is under microscopic scrutiny. "My job is to protect my players," Deschamps declared, sending out a reassuring message to Mbappé and the rest of the team.
Mbappé has been dealing with an avalanche of criticism in recent weeks, sparked by his candid comments on far-right politics in France. In an interview with Le Parisien, he laughed off suggestions that he's eyeing a future presidential role, quipping "I'm hated enough as it is!" The remark highlighted the intense public and political pressure he's facing, amplified by criticism from influential figures like Michel Platini.
But Deschamps isn't just focusing on shielding Mbappé – he's also working to manage expectations for the entire French squad. With only four players from their 2018 World Cup-winning side still in the fold, Les Bleus are being touted as one of the favourites for the tournament. But Deschamps is downplaying those suggestions, insisting "France has the ability to win... but so do six or seven other nations." This collective approach aims to take the pressure off individual players and foster a united team environment.
Another key player under Deschamps' watchful eye is Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner. Dembélé has been given extra recovery time after last month's Champions League final, and Deschamps will make a call on his inclusion in the starting lineup against Senegal based on both "physical and probably more importantly psychological" considerations. It's a delicate balancing act for the French boss, but one that could be crucial in determining Les Bleus' chances of success.
Deschamps' strategy is a multi-faceted approach to deflect individual pressures and temper overall team expectations. As he embarks on what's reportedly his final World Cup as French head coach, his focus remains on getting his players in the best possible state to perform on the world stage.
Source: Le Parisien