France boss Deschamps staying positive over Raphael Varane

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France manager Didier Deschamps is not ready to rule Raphael Varane out of the France squad for the World Cup yet.

Varane suffered an injury in Manchester United’s draw with Chelsea and left the pitch in tears, fearing his place at Qatar 2022 could be over.

He still has a chance to make the tournament, with French journalist Julien Laurens posting on Twitter that Varane’s muscle injury is not as bad as first feared.

While he may not play again for Manchester United before the World Cup, he still has a chance to make the tournament.

Deschamps staying positive over Raphael Varane

France boss Didier Deschamps is staying positive over Raphael Varane, speaking at a press conference reported by Sud Ouest on Tuesday night.

Deschamps admitted he does not have the full information on Varane yet, and is not prepared to make a hasty decision.

He said: “I can’t give an answer today because I don’t have all the elements, but the door remains open.”

He added that while Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will have to prove his fitness before the tournament, he won’t demand the same of Varane.

Deschamps said: “The only thing that is certain is that I will not take a player who is not able to play at the start of the competition. Then it’s on a case-by-case basis. 

“For Paul (Pogba), that he has playing time before the competition, as much as possible, I say yes, because he is in deficit compared to the others. For Raphaël (Varane), it is less problematic in this aspect, because it is a muscle injury.”

Deschamps concern over Pogba is well-founded. The midfielder has not played a single minute since joining Juventus in the summer.

Varane meanwhile has been a regular for Manchester United this season, playing at a very high level, racking up 686 minutes in the Premier League.

France really struggled without him too against Denmark in the recent UEFA Nations League game in which they rested him.

Set to go up against the same opponents in the group stages in the second game, France will be keen to get Varane back and will give him the necessary time to prove his fitness.