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Deschamps confirms he held talks with Mbappe and Giroud after dispute

Kylian Mbappe admitted to being "affected" by Olivier Giroud's recent remarks, but Didier Deschamps has insisted there is no tension in the France camp.

By Daniel Lewis
Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe

Paris, June 14: Didier Deschamps has confirmed he held talks with Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud following their recent dispute.

Giroud caused a stir after scoring a double in Les Blues' 3-0 friendly win over Bulgaria last Tuesday (June 15) when appearing to suggest some irritation at a lack of service.

He did not mention any player by name, but the comments were perceived to be aimed at strike partner Mbappe, who failed to pick out the Chelsea forward on several occasions.

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There were only three passes between the pair during their 43 minutes together on the field.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe had the opportunity to respond at a news conference on Sunday (June 13) and admitted to being "a little affected" by Giroud's remarks.

Euro 2020: Feud between Mbappé and Giroud escalates Euro 2020: Feud between Mbappé and Giroud escalates

However, Deschamps has insisted the incident was soon put to bed and France are now fully focused on their Euro 2020 opener against Germany at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday (June 15).

"I spoke to them, in the same way I have spoken to other players," he told L'Equipe.

"When I feel I have to do it for certain reasons, I do it. Dialogue is a part of management, but listening is also good.

"These players at a very high level are easier to manage than those at a lower level. Yes, they have pride, but also ego – though I'm not sure if it's ego.

"They are competitors and a balance has to be found. We need room in the team for everyone."

Asked about the affect the exchange of words has had on the France camp, Deschamps said: "Everyone got back in the saddle on Thursday.

"We are all working in the same direction with the same objective. It is also a question of generations, with different interests. Don't forget we spend 24 hours together.

"On the pitch, they all wear the same jersey and I know they will all make the same effort as the others."

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Mbappe was reportedly blocked from speaking at a news conference last week, with Paul Pogba instead put up to speak to the press, but Deschamps denied that was the case.

"To be clear, I was not opposed to that," he said. "Pogba offered to go and I validated. It's a reality, it happens.

"Honestly, internally, I cannot talk about tensions because that is not the case."

Story first published: Monday, June 14, 2021, 15:22 [IST]
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