Deschamps offers Cabaye assurances

France boss Didier Deschamps has assured Yohan Cabaye that his inability to establish himself at Paris Saint-Germain will not hamper his World Cup chances.

Cabaye has been a regular for Les Bleus since making his debut in 2010 and played in all four of his country’s games at Euro 2012.

However, after enjoying two and a half successful seasons at Newcastle, where he became arguably the Premier League’s best passer, the 28-year-old’s desire to play in the Champions League again led to him moving back to his homeland in January to join PSG.

With his former international boss Laurent Blanc currently in charge at the Parc des Princes, it was expected that he’d slot straight into the starting XI but it hasn’t worked out like that, with the coach continuing to favour the trio of Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Veratti in his midfield.

This has understandably raised doubts about his chances of playing at the World Cup, with Matuidi and Juventus’ Paul Pogba the current first choice pair, although Cabaye would appear to be next in line if Deschamps opts for a 4-3-3.

After failing to make it past the group stages in 2010, France should make the knockout rounds in Brazil, having been handed a fairly generous group, with the nation due to face Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador. France are 1/6 with Paddy Power to qualify from their World Cup group.

“It’s a blessing in disguise. This is my interpretation,” he told L’Equipe. “It is not a bad thing not to have played three matches in the week. At Newcastle he played every game, but he played one game a week, too. There, PSG was in all competitions, so there are more opportunities to play matches.”