Center-back William Saliba has been confirmed to have recovered from his injury and is ready to enter the fray against Senegal in Group I this coming June 17.
According to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the center-back officially completed the full training program with the entire squad in Boston (USA) on June 13 (local time). Prior to this, French national team fans had a heart-stopping scare when Saliba entered the tournament with a recurring back injury from the Champions League final.
Initial reports even raised concerns that Saliba might miss out on the biggest football festival on the planet. Coach Didier Deschamps quickly spoke out to reassure the public. Saliba himself further reinforced this confidence with an impressive 45-minute performance in the 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland on June 8.
Now, as the French squad is fired up and heading to the MetLife Stadium “cauldron,” Saliba is expected to be fully fit to start from the very beginning, forming a solid wall alongside Dayot Upamecano or Ibrahima Konate.
Saliba’s return is of vital importance to the French team, especially as their opponent, Senegal, possesses an explosive, speedy attack and an abundant physical foundation. Having one of the best center-backs in Europe at his disposal helps coach Deschamps ease his worries regarding the backline.
Not only is the French team breathing a sigh of relief, but Arsenal fans can also rest assured about their squad preparation for the title defense campaign next season. Leaving the doubts behind, Saliba’s comeback is injecting tremendous confidence into the French team as they begin their journey to reclaim the World Cup crown.
