William Saliba Shines for France: Will Deschamps Entrust Him with a Leading Role?

There is no doubt that William Saliba is among the world's top center-backs. Despite his talents, he struggled to secure playing time for his national team. Saliba's rise began at French club Marseille, where he had an impressive season, helping them qualify for the Champions League. Despite these accomplishments and his potential to be a key player for France, he was often overlooked, given the presence of other great center-backs like Raphaël Varane, Jules Koundé, and Ibrahima Konaté. Returning from his loan to Arsenal, Saliba continued to prove his worth, delivering an outstanding season with the English club. In the first half of the season, he was arguably the best center-back in the world. In December 2022, his dream came true when he was called up to the World Cup. However, he saw limited playing time as Deschamps favored other center-backs. Saliba's journey is now about building trust with Deschamps to secure a regular starting position in the national team. 

In the 2023-2024 season, Saliba emerged as a key player for a dominant Arsenal side. Throughout the qualifiers, Deschamps finally gave Saliba starting minutes to assess his performance on the pitch. This journey was bumpy at times, with Saliba appearing both comfortable and shaky on the backline. This puzzled football fans, as he is known at Arsenal as a composed center-back who does not crack under pressure. As a result, Deschamps rotated his center-backs, with Saliba competing against Konaté and Upamecano for the starting spot. This was no easy task, given that both competitors are World Cup and European Championship proven. However, Saliba did not let this deter him from reaching his goal. He has proven his worth and is excelling in Euro 2024, starting all four games for France, and looking like he belongs. Over these four games, France has kept three clean sheets, a testament to Saliba's contributions. While France has struggled with goal-scoring throughout the tournament, their defense has kept them in the competition. Saliba has made several crucial tackles that have had fans on their feet, applauding his performance. His resilience and determination have been key to his rise, demonstrating his potential to be a cornerstone of France's defense for years to come. 

Saliba will look to help lead his country to glory against Portugal on July 5th. As France prepares for this crucial match, all eyes will be on Saliba, who has quickly become a linchpin in the team's defense. His performances throughout Euro 2024 have been nothing short of stellar, and he is now poised to face one of his toughest challenges yet. The match against Portugal will test his mettle, as he goes head-to-head with some of the best attackers in the world. With his blend of composure, tactical awareness, and resilience, Saliba aims to shut down Portugal's offensive threats and guide France to a much-needed victory. This match not only represents a significant milestone in his international career but also an opportunity to cement his status as one of the center-backs on the global stage.