Mbappe’s reduced playing time with PSG may benefit France: Deschamps

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe’s reduced playing time with Paris St Germain in recent weeks could be good news for the France national team as it may keep him fresh for the European Championship and Olympic Games, manager Didier Deschamps said.

The France captain, who informed PSG last month that he would leave them as a free agent at the end of the season, has played the full 90 minutes in just three matches since Feb. 14, a 2-1 Champions League win at Real Sociedad, a 3-1 French Cup win over Nice and a 6-2 league win over Montpellier on Sunday.

Asked about Mbappe’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.