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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lewis Pangratiou

William Saliba Arsenal prediction made as France prepare for World Cup semi-final vs Morocco

France and Juventus legend, David Trezeguet, has predicted that William Saliba's time as a starter in the French national team will come.

The Arsenal defender hasn't played an awful lot at this World Cup, though he's stepped up when called upon. Trezeguet thinks that his lack of playing time is primarily down to the incredible strength in depth Les Bleus have at centre-back.

With the likes of Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Jules Kounde - who has operated mostly as a full-back in Qatar - all able to play as a central defender, Saliba has been somewhat overlooked by Didier Deschamps, despite his incredible form for Arsenal this season.

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Still, Trezeguet believes that the 21-year-old will break into the starting team soon enough: "He (William Saliba) doesn't play a big role in Qatar, but the competition is very tough (in the French national team)," he told wettbasis.com. "He has developed very well at Arsenal since last summer. I assume that his time will come soon, because he has promising potential. And his positional play is getting better and better."

Deschamps' plans have clearly worked so far, too. France are into another semi-final as they look to lift the trophy in successive tournaments. Surprise package Morocco stand in their immediate way, but victory - one that is expected - would set up a climax with Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Even if he doesn't play much, or at all for that matter, in the probable remaining two games, winning a World Cup at such a young age will only help with Saliba's development, which is a good thing for both France and the Gunners.

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