France midfielder Samir Nasri wants national coach Laurent Blanc to talk to him face to face rather than make remarks about him to the press, the Manchester City star told France Football in an interview that will appear on Tuesday.
At a press conference on August 10, Blanc offered journalists a frank opinion on how Nasri had been performing for the France team.
"He must do better because he has the ability to do better," said Blanc.
"I expect more from him. We have shown great confidence in him, and he must return that confidence."
Nasri, who is with the France squad for this week's Euro 2012 qualifiers, said Blanc should have kept his thoughts for a private discussion rather than a public airing.
"You could say that he rates me. But saying this in public is not going to help things improve," said Nasri, who was a controversial omission by then coach Raymond Domenech from the squad for the 2010 World Cup finals though the reason give was for his poor attitude.
"I have a good relationship with him (Blanc) and especially (assistant coach) Jean-Louis Gasset.
"I know they have great confidence in me but I would prefer it if the coach told me certain things face to face.
"Now, if that is really how he is thinking at the moment, then it is up to me to do more and prove him wrong," said Nasri whose City career got underway spectacularly on Sunday setting up three of their goals in the 5-1 thrashing of Spurs.
Blanc, meanwhile, denied that he had been playing games with either Nasri or Bayern midfielder Franck Ribery who has been the subject of similar comments.
"I am not playing with anyone but I say this because I love them and appreciate them a lot," he said.
"Our job is to tell them because they are so close to us. When you love someone or appreciate them, you have to tell him the truth and what you really think. It is especially important not to play games with him.
"It is always tough on the players, we are never satisfied. We always tell them they can do better, it is vital never to settle for what you can do. Our job is to push the whole squad to reach the limit of their abilities."
France, who are currently one point clear of Belarus at the top of Group D, face Albania in Tirana on September 2 and Romania in Bucharest four days later.
Source: AFP
