Roy Keane has disclosed that he is in agreement with the manner in which Didier Deschamps has handled William Saliba despite his criticism.

Saliba has had to exercise patience in order to establish himself as a regular member of the France side, despite the fact that he has been a steady performer for Arsenal throughout the course of the following couple of seasons.

France’s first match in the Euro 2024 tournament will be against Austria, and Deschamps has selected Saliba to start for France.

“I like it,” Keane commented while he was commenting on ITV. I believe that it is appropriate to challenge your players. I really much enjoy it. All of the members of that team are of amazing quality.

Gary Neville, on the other hand, was not in agreement with Deschamps’ strategy on Saliba and rather referred to it as “unorthodox.”

Roy Keane revealed he supports France boss Didier Deschamps’ treatment of William Saliba

Keane believes Deschamps took the right approach by not playing Saliba regularly

Neville said: ‘You need some confidence in yourself to come through that. Deschamps must be saying it for a reason. It’s unorthodox to say that about a player who has been so good.’

In March, Deschamps criticised Saliba, saying: ‘He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much.

‘For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well.

Despite frequently impressing for Arsenal, Saliba has had to be patient for chances for France

‘The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment, but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less.

‘With certain players, I make sure to persevere, because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift.

‘Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm.’

Saliba, who made his international debut in March 2022, was making his 16th appearance for France.