Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team, held a press conference after announcing the squad for the Nations League Final Four. He shared insights on various topics, including player call-ups and views on club football.
When asked about which team he would support in the Champions League final, Deschamps humorously referred to his Marseille origins but clarified that, from a national coach`s perspective, a victory for Paris Saint-Germain would be the most beneficial outcome for French football overall, despite having players like Pavard and Thuram at Inter.
Speaking specifically about the inclusion of Pierre Kalulu in the squad, Deschamps noted that it was his first senior call-up, as it was for Rayan Cherki. He highlighted Kalulu`s excellent season with Juventus, also recalling his strong performances during his time at Milan. Deschamps emphasized Kalulu`s valuable ability to play effectively in two different positions: he primarily features in a back three system at Juventus but is also capable of playing as a right-back.
Deschamps explained that the coaching staff has been following Kalulu for some time. While his call-up is partly influenced by current defensive absences, it also serves the purpose of providing opportunities and gathering information on players for future national team considerations. He added that it is now up to the players to perform and secure their spots, given the high level of competition for places. Deschamps concluded by stating that after recovering from an injury that had previously hindered his progress, Kalulu has successfully returned to an excellent performance level.