Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Samir Nasri insists he doesn't hold a grudge against France coach Didier Deschamps.

Nasri, currently with Anderlecht, has long been ignored by Deschamps for the national team.

But he insists: “Whenever I speak on the French team, it is believed that I criticise. I have nothing against him, nothing at all. I respect the player, the coach. I have the right not to like the way he plays.

"Personally, I think that with the talent and the players that there are, the French team should play better. It is not a criticism of him. I do not care. He did not want to take me to the World Cup in 2014, I decided to retire internationally.

"At least I left with my dignity, rather than being the tough guy. They were world champions in 2018, I am very happy for them, for some players I have known with Steven (N'Zonzi), Paul Pogba etc. I am neither envious nor jealous. It should not be because otherwise karma is not good.

"He won everywhere he went, you have to respect that. I identify more with a coach like Blanc, Guardiola, Sampaoli, Bielsa, Wenger, rather than someone pragmatic like Didier Deschamps."