Saliba should be excited as Varane announces international retirement

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Thursday marked the end of an era as Raphael Varane announced his retirement from international football.

The World Cup winner has been a key player for France for 10 years now, but the time has come for him to pass the baton onto the next generation.

So, who will pick up the mantle now? Well, in our view, this represents a great chance for William Saliba to step up and make this spot in the France side his own.

Saliba is the next French centre-back star in the making. He has already established himself as one of the top young talents in the Premier League with his performances for Arsenal this season.

The ‘outstanding‘ 21-year-old has showcased immense physicality, excellent aerial ability and exceptional ball-playing skills, and he truly looks to be one of the world’s premier talents in this position.

For the longest time, Varane has been the mainstay in the French defence and has kept young upstarts, such as Saliba, out of the team.

However, with Varane now stepping down, it opens the door for Saliba to make his mark on the French national team.

However, Saliba faces stiff competition for the French national team. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe are all top-quality defenders who will be challenging Saliba for a place in the starting line-up, and that’s before we even mention Jules Kounde too who has been starting at right-back lately.

These players are all proven at the highest level and have the potential to be world-class centre-backs. However, Saliba has shown this term that he could be the best of the bunch.

Saliba has to be excited about the news that Varane has retired from international football.

For the first time in his career, there’s a spot open for him in this France team.

This is a major opportunity for Saliba, and it’s one he has to take with both hands.

Who knows? Perhaps Saliba’s performances with Arsenal will even go up a gear now as he tries to prove to Didier Deschamps that he’s Varane’s rightful heir.