Didier Deschamps ‘surprised’ by Laurent Koscielny's claims he was forgotten by France after Achilles injury
The Arsenal defender claimed he heard from his international boss just once after suffering the injury
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Your support makes all the difference.France coach Didier Deschamps admitted that he was “surprised” by Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny’s claims that he was forgotten by his international coach and teammates during his long and gruelling rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon.
Koscielny has not played for club or country since suffering the injury in the second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid, missing France’s World Cup triumph in Russia as a result, and claimed in an interview with Canal+ that Deschamps had called him just once to wish him a happy birthday in September.
Deschamps insisted that he spoke to Koscielny about his operation and even invited the Arsenal defender to the World Cup final, but added that he sympathises with the 33-year-old.
“I understand this huge disappointment,” the France coach said. “After, when he talks about relationships, I was surprised [by the comments] like all my staff.
“At one point they all sent messages of support. I called him after his injury, I talked with him, even about his choice of surgeon. I invited him, if he wished, to spend time with us during the preparation [for the World Cup].
“I asked him come to the final on the presidential plane because I thought it was very important that he be there, even though I know it was difficult [for him].
“In September, when it was his birthday, I got in touch with him, to find out how he was. At least I did that, I could have done more.”
Koscielny announced his retirement from international football in the interview, adding that France’s victory without him in Russia made him “much more psychologically hurt than my injury”.
Deschamps said he had a “brief exchange” with Koscielny when the Arsenal defender’s comments circulated on Sunday and insisted: “It will not change what I think of Lolo as a player and as a man. He is someone with good values.”
France captain Hugo Lloris also paid tribute to Koscielny, who earned 51 caps and started every match at Euro 2016, including his country’s shock defeat by Portugal in the final.
“We thought hard about him during the competition [at the World Cup],” Lloris said. “He was an important player on the team, an important person also because we have a lot of respect for him.”
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