Didier Deschamps is not happy with one player (Picture: Getty)
Didier Deschamps has privately questioned the commitment and fitness of French striker Olivier Giroud at Euro 2024, according to reports.
France were one of the heavy favourites heading into the tournament but flattered to deceived in the group stages, ultimately finishing second in Group D.
A narrow 1-0 win over Austria was followed up with successive draws against the Netherlands and Poland to leave Les Blues with a tough last-16 encounter against Belgium on Monday.
Despite a nasty injury to Kylian Mbappe, though, Giroud has only been used sparingly as a substitute so far this tournament.
And according to French outlet, L’Equipe, Deschamps has privately expressed reservations about whether the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has the necessary fitness or commitment to play a big role for France this tournament.
Giroud, his nation’s record goal scorer, was also said to have reacted badly to not being picked against the Netherlands when Mbappe was unable to play.
The 37-year-old, however, has reportedly not aired his grievances in front of the rest of the team and has taken on an additional fitness regime as he looks to force his way into the manager’s starting lineup.
Olivier Giroud is yet to start a game at Euro 2024 (Picture: Getty)
For now, France’s attention turns towards their last-16 tie with Belgium in Dusseldorf and manager Deschamps insisted his side will only improve after their disappointing group-stage showing.
‘It is a new competition that is starting. You cannot always read a competition just from the group stage. We deserve to be second, I am satisfied,’ he said after their draw against Poland.
‘Now it [the competition] is going to be a little bit more down to the wire; now we’ve only got the big teams but that is the name of the game.
‘I would be a lot more concerned if we were not creating chances but obviously there is room for improvement.
‘It is a new competition that is starting for us and it will start on 1 July.’
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