France national team coach Didier Deschamps has said that Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud’s club struggles have not affected his national team selection ahead of next week’s international break.
“Not at all. Even if you have great players at Barcelona, it doesn’t happen in a day. It depends on how they play, how they work with each other,” Deschamps told a news conference after again selecting Griezmann for international duty.
“Also, he’s put in different positions than the ones he has with France, even though he played [wide] a long time ago.
“He must fit in, the other players as well. He didn’t choose the easiest solution and it’s a big club, so the expectations are huge. He’s always part of a team, but he’s not used to it yet.
“Even when he’s not as good, he’s always positive for the team. With us, it’s a different situation, different position, he can play at his best position where I’ve put him a long time ago. Of course, he has a very important role in how we play.”
As for Giroud, Deschamps wants the striker to move clubs in January if things do not change.
“I picked him last month because of what he did in the past. He’s an important player for us. He proves it on the pitch,” said Deschamps, who again stressed the importance of Giroud getting more game time.
“When he scores, it’s good for him. It happens quite frequently and, even when he doesn’t score, he’s an important player for us.
“Sadly, the situation hasn’t evolved for him, but he is there because I trust him, because of what he has done in the past and in October. Of course, and he knows it, I hope the situation will change with his club for our games in March.
“He needs to play, even though he is very fit, he needs to be more on the pitch.”
