France may lose key defender Saliba ahead of World Cup

Foot Mercato says Arsenal centre-back William Saliba faces several weeks on the sidelines after picking up an injury, a blow for France with the World Cup due to start on 11 June. Saliba was already carrying an injury into Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, which he ultimately lost with the English champions on penalties.

He played the full 120 minutes, a gamble that is reported to have worsened the unspecified problem and left the 31‑time France international facing a lay-off that could see him miss part or all of the tournament; the French Football Federation is said to be deeply concerned about his availability.

The 25‑year‑old, recently voted the world's best defender in a kicker poll of Bundesliga professionals, would normally start at centre‑back for Les Bleus alongside Dayot Upamecano. Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté, expected to join Bayern Munich this summer, is a ready-made alternative, while Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Hernandez and Jules Koundé are other options for the back line.

France

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