Aymeric Laporte has been an outstanding purchase for Manchester City.

Signed for £57 million in January, the 24-year-old has now established himself as a key figure in Man City's defence.

Although many would consider Virgil van Dijk to be the Premier League's best defender at the moment, Laporte has also shown he's one of the best in his position in England's top tier.

But, despite performing at such a high level, it seems almost bizarre that Laporte does not have a single appearance for the French national team.

Laporte expressed his disbelief at that earlier this month, stating that Deschamps issue with him must be 'personal'.

"There is a coach and he doesn't call me, so I need to wait, to keep working and that's it," he told EiTB when asked about his repeated absence from the squad, per Goal.

“Of course I don't think it's because of a sporting issue, you'd have to ask him personally, I don't have anything personal against him, but if someone has a problem it's him and not me.

“I could be a world champion... but these are the decisions of the coach, who is not calling me for, I think, personal reasons, and I have to respect him.

“I'm not going to call him. Why? To slam him? No, obviously not. I'm still working in the club, playing at the highest level for this kind of thing [an international call-up]... the only person who can solve this is the coach."

Deschamps has now responded to Laporte's comments, stating that he does not want him in the squad as he doesn't want two left-footed centre-backs.

“I do not understand [why Laporte made those statements]. I do not know," he told RMC Sport, per Goal.

"I do not have a problem with anyone. When I choose someone it is not for me. I repeat. I only have one thing to say to him and that is that he continues to perform well.

"If you tell me he must be in [Marseille centre-back Adil] Rami's place then I stop you right away. Sorry but two left-footed defenders at centre-back at international level... We have a lot of left-footers and few right-footers."

What a poor excuse. So Laporte is being punished for being left-footed.

Although that's clearly personal preference, that's still not a valid reason for him not featuring in one single game for France.

Laporte is still eligible to play for Spain and he might want to pursue that option if Deschamps continues to snub him.