Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is reportedly set to start ahead of William Saliba for France in their 2022 FIFA World Cup opener against Australia despite the Anfield centre-back hardly playing this season.
According to L’Equipe, the 23-year-old is expected to replace Raphael Varane in the starting XI later today against Australia with the Manchester United defender likely to start on the bench, with Saliba also set to join his Premier League rival amongst the substitute.
As per the report, Konate is likely to partner Bayern Munich star and former RB Leipzig teammate Dayot Upamecano in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with L’Equipe stating that Didier Deschamps’ training methods in recent days have strongly hinted that the Liverpool defender will start despite being ‘barely fit’ all season.
Konate has seen his campaign with Liverpool ravaged by injury, with the youngster making just three starts in all competitions and only playing 280 minutes of football heading into the World Cup, whilst Saliba has been a mainstay for Arsenal and one of the breakout players in the Premier League this term.
Indeed, the decision could set the tone for the remainder of the World Cup if Konate is to start for France against Australia over Saliba, with the Liverpool defender likely to keep his place for the remaining group stage matches if the youngster impresses tonight.
As for Saliba, being benched for the World Cup opener to a player who has hardly played this season will sting for the Arsenal centre-back, especially since that the 21-year-old heads into Qatar as arguably the in-form defender in the France squad after an incredible season so far with Arsenal.
Deschamps is making a risky World Cup decision for France ahead of Australia clash
Just like Harry Maguire starting for England, international starting XI’s sometimes just don’t make sense. And whilst Konate starting for France over Saliba is hardly as bad or conflicting than the previous example, it’s still quite a risky decision from Deschamps ahead of a tournament where Les Bleus are one fo the favourites.
After all, Konate’s lack of minutes this season and overall fitness could come to bite France if the defender isn’t quite ready to make his World Cup debut, with Saliba arguably the best option to start at centre-back for the reigning world champions to face Australia.
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