‘I’m sure he is unhappy’ – Didier Deschamps criticises Ronald Koeman for use of Antoine Griezmann as Barcelona star continues struggle to regain best form

Antoine Griezmann is unhappy at being forced to play out wide at Barcelona by Ronald Koeman in recent matches, France national team boss Didier Deschamps has claimed.

The World Cup winner was deployed on the right side in Barca’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday, with Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati in supporting roles behind Lionel Messi.

In the previous match he was played in the same role as the Catalans defeated Celta Vigo 3-0.

The 29-year-old is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this season, whilst Coutinho, who returned from his loan spell with Bayern Munich in the summer, has shined with teenager Fati in attack.

And Deschamps, the 1998 World Cup winning captain, has claimed Koeman had broken a promise to play the former Atletico Madrid ace through the middle.

“I’m talking to him [Griezmann] and I’ll see him later. I am sure he is not happy with this situation,” the France boss said ahead of his side’s clash against Ukraine on Wednesday.

“I don’t interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be at Barca or anyone else.

“Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. It’s true that Koeman said, and told him, that he did not understand that he was used to playing in a more central position. But Antoine must also adapt today.

“For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game, when he is able to touch the ball a lot.

“In that position, he has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too.

“He doesn’t have the ability to take the ball and beat opponents on the wing like others. He needs to touch the ball a lot and he is smart in his movement.”

Griezmann played an instrumental role for Deschamps as France triumphed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Barcelona forward netted four times as Les Blues lifted the famous trophy for the second time.