Reported Liverpool target Dayot Upamecano has been omitted from France’s latest squad with Didier Deschamps telling the RB Leipzig ace that he must improve after a bout of poor form, as reported by BeSoccer.
The World Cup-winning tactician is right when he says that Upamecano is going through something of a ‘difficult moment’.
The 22-year-old was at the heart of a Leipzig defence ripped apart time and time again during a 5-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester United which, in truth, could have been a lot worse.
And Upamecano made a very uncharacteristic blunder against PSG on Wednesday too, giving away possession seconds before Angel di Maria clipped home.
Fortunately, his Leipzig teammates bailed him out during a second-half turnaround in northern Germany.
So while Upamecano’s omission from France’s squad will raise eyebrows, Deschamps’ explanation makes perfect sense.
“There is a lot of competition in this position. He’s going through a more difficult moment,” the manager said after deciding instead to call up Clement Lenglet, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Pavard and Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma.
“He knows he can do better. He was quite emotional during his first call up in September, and in October as well. He’s a young player and he has the potential. He’s playing many games.
“The door is not closed. I make that choice today because it’s logical to me.”
Deschamps will not forget how nervy Upamecano appeared during his most recent France appearance, giving away the ball on numerous occasions and diving into tackles during a 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Nonetheless, Upamecano remains one of the names under consideration from a Liverpool side scouring the market for defenders after Virgil van Dijk’s injury.
BILD reports that the former Salzburg youngster has a £35 million release clause in his contract that will come into effect in 2021.
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