Didier Deschamps has warned Barcelona starlet Ousmane Dembele he must answer questions over his professionalism.
Having previously been warned by his club before over his diet and his timekeeping since his €105 million move from Borussia Dortmund last year, Dembele did not turn up to training last Thursday with it taking the club an hour and a half to locate their player.
The Frenchman trained alone on Friday and was the front page story for Sport and Mundo Deportivo Saturday morning, with his situation dominating Ernesto Valverde’s press conference later that afternoon.
Dembele was left out of the match day squad for Sunday’s meeting with Real Betis although his manager insisted his player was not being punished.
Concerns over his professionalism are however shared within the French camp, with Deschamps urging the player to improve.
“I haven’t talk with the staff of Barcelona because I don’t interfere in the daily business of clubs,” he told a media conference.
“It’s their responsibility and it’s up to them to manage their players, on and off the field.
“Ousmane has been with us for a while. That’s his usual trick to be late, but in his defence, I’m sure he’ll say: ‘I’m not the only one.’
“Whether at a big club like Barcelona, in the French national team or elsewhere, he has to pay attention to that.
“It’s part of the life and requirements of a professional footballer.
“He must improve to prevent it from becoming negative. These are situations that can be repeated. The sooner he understands that, the better for everyone.”
Dembele is part of the France squad for upcoming games against Netherlands and Uruguay.
