Is Saliba playing in the World Cup final? Amid a flu outbreak in the France camp, a number of people have asked about the £27m Arsenal star.
Didier Deschamps has only handed the Arsenal No.12 a slither of action in Qatar so far this winter, as he played just 27 minutes of France’s run to the World Cup final – even that came in the dead rubber defeat to Tunisia.
However, the 21-year-old could now be needed on the biggest stage of all.
So, is Saliba playing in the World Cup final? Let’s take a look…
Is Saliba playing in the World Cup final?
Well, it is certainly possible – as things stand.
According to RMC Sport in France, both Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are struggling with illness – Dayot Upamecano is also ill.
The trio have been the first choices for Deschamps in Qatar so far, along with Lucas Hernandez of Bayern Munich.
However, Hernandez is also missing after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee just 13 minutes into his World Cup debut, as France defeated Australia by a 4-1 scoreline in Group D.
That leaves Deschamps with Saliba, Axel Disasi and Jules Kounde to choose from in the centre-back department, while Benjamin Pavard can also play there despite usually lining up at right-back.
Of these four names, Saliba has arguably had the most impressive first half of the campaign at club level, playing almost every minute as Arsenal find themselves five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Therefore, if Upamecano, Varane and Konate fail to recover, we could well see the Arsenal colossus appear in the World Cup final, in what would be just his second appearance in the famous tournament – and his first start.
Saliba has only ever won eight caps for France, so it would be truly special if he was entrusted to start against Argentina in the World Cup final this Sunday.
If the Bondy-born defender does end up having to mark the likes of Lionel Messi inside the Lusail Stadium, he has certainly earned the opportunity following his stunning performances for Arsenal this season.
William Saliba profile
Full name: William Alain André Gabriel Saliba
Age: 21
Height: 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Nationality: France
Place of birth: Bondy, France
Date of birth: 24th March 2001
Club: Arsenal
Position: Centre-back
Salary: £36,000-a-week
Net worth: £240,000
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