Deschamps: ‘Rabiot move to AC Milan better for him and France’ | OneFootball

Adrien Rabiot’s move to AC Milan has been welcomed by France coach Didier Deschamps, noting the midfielder’s positive performances have been ‘better for him and us.’

The player had a chaotic summer, frozen out at Olympique Marseille following a locker room brawl with his then teammate Jonathan Rowe.

He finally completed the transfer to Milan on deadline day, and has since been a key figure in the midfield, playing the full 90 minutes in all four Serie A games, plus one Coppa Italia match.

Rabiot made immediate impact at Milan

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan is pursued by Mohamed Kaba Drame of US Lecce during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Now called up for international duty for France, coach Deschamps was asked in a press conference if Rabiot would get an opportunity in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

“On a psychological and athletic level, Adrien is in better shape now because he played a string of matches, and he played them very well indeed, with his club,” said Deschamps.

“He plays in a slightly different system now at Milan, but he knows what I expect from him. When he came to us in September, he hadn’t played for two weeks. Now the situation is better for him and us.”

Considering Aurelien Tchaouameni is suspended, it means Rabiot is far more likely to be in the starting XI against Azerbaijan.

The 30-year-old has 55 senior caps for France, but the most recent start was in the 2-0 Nations League victory over Germany on June 8, 2025.

He was only a late substitute against Ukraine and Iceland in September.