Deschamps defends striker

France manager Didier Deschamps believes recent treatment of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is unfair and hopes it will improve ahead of Euro 2016.

The 29-year-old has endured a difficult time with France, who can be backed at 4.00 to win Euro 2016, over the last few years and some sections of the fans are not afraid to voice their opinions.

Giroud was booed and whistled during Monday’s 3-2 friendly victory over Cameroon as they continue to build-up to the showpiece event on home soil this summer.

The Arsenal striker was on the score shlateet in their latest triumph in Nantes, while he has netted five times in his last six international outings.

However, despite his recent record on the international stage he is still seemingly unable to win over the fans. Deschamps believes that his striker will eventually gain acceptance but does not fully understand why they are determined to get on his back.

“You hear what you want. The whistles were unfair tonight, but in Biarritz, he was applauded. People can be conditioned,” he said. “But Olivier scored again. When you say it, you are not helpful. You are free to say what you want but this is not necessarily the truth.”

Les Bleus’ chief has also praised West Ham’s Dmitri Payet, who was another of the scorers against Cameroon and looks set for a starring role this summer. Deschamps admitted that the midfielder is very important to his plans and believes it was crucial for him to get some minutes after three weeks off.

“It’s been three weeks since he played,” he added. “This game was good for him, to get back into the pace. “He can do better, but every time he touches the ball, there is something happening. “And he has the quality of set-pieces, free-kicks, corners and it is something important.”