Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna - Classy Footballer

France head coach Didier Deschamps has lavished praised on Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez after the pair played fundamental roles during Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph. Neither Pavard nor Hernandez were guaranteed of a starting role in the lead up to the global tournament but they managed to excel after being backed by Deschamps.

Speaking to Kicker, the France boss acknowledged that the duo were able to stabilise the defence from the full-back positions and reserved special praise for Stuttgart’s Pavard, he said: “Despite their former status and some inexperience at this level, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas [Hernandez] were brilliant and stabilised the defence.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus does not believe France have a golden generation despite winning the World Cup for the second occasion this summer. Les Bleus appeared to play in their shadows for much of the global tournament but they nevertheless showed up when it mattered the most to secure another World Cup title.

Writing in his Bild column, Matthaus felt that France were not convincing through the World Cup and they may not establish another golden era moving forward, he penned: “I do not believe that the French will establish an era. The team did not adopt any style or convince with fascinating football. They did not push their opponents to the edge.”

France head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed his delight after guiding the nation to their second World Cup title. Les Bleus started the tournament as one among the favourites for the global crown and they duly delivered after they secured a comfortable 4-2 triumph in Sunday’s final at the Luzhniki Stadium.

With the result, Deschamps became only the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager and he was ecstatic to have achieved the feat. Speaking to reporters, he said: “Professionally there’s nothing above that. Maybe they’re going to win other titles and I don’t want to undermine other titles, but when you are a professional footballer there’s nothing above that.

France international Bacary Sagna does not think Arsene Wenger won’t enter into national team management in the future. The 68-year-old ended his 22-year reign with Arsenal last season and he has since declared that he has no plans of retiring from the game. As such, he has been tipped to succeed France boss Didier Deschamps or take up a technical role with his national team but Sagna does not believe this will happen.

“I don't think he will be the France national team manager one day because he wants to be part [of the game] every single day in what he is doing. There is only some momentum with the French national team and for him it's not enough. I think he will try to get a team [a club].After being such an important man in the football world, such a big manager and having so much influence on so many players, he can't stay away from the pitch.”

Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills has urged Jack Wilshere to leave Arsenal, now that he has managed to overcome his long-term injury concerns. The England international recently experienced his most productive season in the Gunners with 38 appearances across all competitions but this was simply not sufficient to earn him an England recall for the World Cup.

Wilshere has since lamented over his Three Lions snub on social media and Mills believes the midfielder should now decide on pursuing a new challenge away from the Emirates Stadium, he said: “He's a fabulous talent, an exceptional player, when he is fit. He needs to be at a club where he plays week in, week out.Sometimes you change clubs and it just works, for whatever reason it fits. That hasn't quite happened for him at Arsenal.Why is he constantly picking up these injuries? I think he needs a move and a fresh challenge.But undoubtedly he's a fantastic talent.”

France national team coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of the World Cup after damaging his Achilles tendon during the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday night. The 32-year-old suffered the injury during the opening exchanges of the game and Arsene Wenger thereafter suggested that the problem was rather serious.

Juventus chief Beppe Marotta believes the Serie A no longer relies on playing Italians through the squad. The Serie A has not witnessed a match with solely Italian players since the Empoli-Sampdoria clash in 2008, and Marotta was quick to highlight the globalisation of the sport, in an interview with La Stampa.

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has heaped praised on Arsene Wenger during a recent interview with Sky Italia. The France international was in conversation with reputed journalist Gianluca di Marzio, where he talked up his time under the Gunners boss. He said: “Wenger is a great manager who deserves the best. In France, we have great respect for him: it was always a pleasure to play for him and for Arsenal. Guilherme?

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has revealed that he had been discussions with Crystal Palace and West Ham United prior to penning a contract with Serie A strugglers Benevento. The 35-year-old had been keen on a return to the English capital following his release from the Citizens last summer.

Crystal Palace manager boss Roy Hodgson has stressed that Wilfried Zaha will remain at Selhurst Park for the season despite the ongoing link with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. The Ivory Coast international has been in sublime touch for the Eagles since returning from injury from October, and his form has coincided with his side's climb in the Premier League table.

Speaking after Palace's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, Hodgson admitted that Zaha would not be sold during the winter transfer window as he already has assurances from the club's hierarchy. Meanwhile, the former England boss also insisted that he may look to bolster his squad further in the transfer market.