Didier Deschamps is confident Alou Diarra and Andre-Pierre Gignac will prove their worth to Marseille.
Marseille boss offers his backing to Diarra and Gignac
Didier Deschamps is confident Alou Diarra and Andre-Pierre Gignac will prove their worth to Marseille.
Combative midfielder Diarra has been drafted in from Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux, but has already seen his signing questioned.
The France international arrives at Stade Velodrome on the back of two disappointing domestic campaigns.
Deschamps, though, is adamant that Diarra will prove to be a success and has leapt to the defence of his summer recruit.
He told
L'Equipe: "There is no problem with Alou Diarra. He is not in the best of shape at the moment, but you can't judge him on one match.
"How is he finished? That is the French mentality, after reaching 30 a player is finished.
Leader
"Last season he stayed at Bordeaux by default and when a player wants to leave it can play on his mind.
"He was a leader at Bordeaux and he is a leader for the French team. He needs time to settle, but I have no worries about him."
Deschamps also believes that Gignac, who endured a difficult debut campaign at Marseille last season, will be back to his best in 2011/12.
He added: "Gignac has potential. Even though he didn't have a great season last year he still managed 12 goals.
"He made mistakes and he knows it. If he can find the right self-belief, he will play all the time.
"His only concern at the moment is to return to training. He wants to be a success."
