France benefit from PSG benching Mbappé – Didier Deschamps

France head coach Didier Deschamps feels the national team will benefit if Paris Saint-Germain reduces Kylian Mbappe’s playing time. Deschamps reckons the reduced game time will keep the Frenchman fresh for the European Championships and Olympic Games, which set to be hosted by Paris.

Since February 14, Mbappe has played only three full matches for the Parisians. Mbappe had also informed PSG that he will leave the club as a free agent at the end of the ongoing season.

Asked about Mbappé’s game time, Deschamps told reporters on Monday: “It’s important to be physically fresh for a major competition. In any case, all the players will arrive at the end of the season feeling a little tired.

“If that fatigue can be reduced a little [all the better],” the French coach added ahead of a friendly against Germany on March 23.

On the other hand, France’s under-23 coach Thierry Henry said on Monday that Real Madrid had turned down a request to release players for the Olympic Games. Thus, if Mbappe’s deal with Los Blancos is confirmed, it could prevent him from representing France at the Games.

“Real Madrid’s stance on the Olympic Games is a bit outdated,” Deschamps said. “But business people are the ones who decide. If it’s not on an official FIFA date, if they say no, the answer is no.”

Meanwhile, Mbappe has been in sensational form in the ongoing season with 24 goals and five assists in 24 matches for PSG in Ligue 1. Furthermore, he has scored six goals in eight matches of the UEFA Champions League and has scored seven goals in four games of the French Cup.

Mbappe had scored 29 goals in 34 matches in the previous season of Ligue 1 and played a key role in taking PSG to glory.