The confirmation of the seeding’s for next summer’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine were announced this week. International managers are now weighing up the possibilities of having a group of death or a dry run to the knock out stages. France are in Pool four along with Denmark, Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland but Laurent Blanc is a man who should have no fears after an impressive qualification built around youth.
A group of death could beckon for France with the possibility of facing, Spain, Germany and Portugal but surely that is the one team from Pool four that all of these sides will want to miss. Flip the coin over and France also have exactly the same probability of playing Greece, Russia and Poland. All of a sudden the outlook could be bright.
Les Bleus’ qualification is somewhat of a minor miracle if the debacle of Raymond Domenech, Nicolas Anelka, Patrice Evra et al in South Africa last summer is taken into account. France are currently 11/1 to win the tournament and a number of factors could contribute to a decent run, if not a tournament win.
1.New Blood
It has been a case of out with the old and in with the new for Blanc. Between the line-ups that started the world cup and ended the qualifying campaign for the Euro’s, only three players remain from a year and a half ago. The exceptional Hugo Lloris, Eric Abidal and Patrice Evra who had to work his way back in the team. There are notable absentees who may well be there by next summer including AC Milan’s injured Philippe Mexes at centre half and if things stay consistent for Frank Ribery then he may make a return. Karim Benzema, who missed out last summer, is the player who is most likely to lead the attack for France after coming to terms with life in Madrid. When he plays he scores although he does miss the occasional sitter, the desire that was there at Lyon seems to be back and he is beginning to show how good he really is.
2. Solidity
The team has an over all solidity around it and they will not be embarrassed this time around. Cabaye in midfield has carried his title winning form from Lille over to Newcastle with him and is looking an absolute bargain at the under side of five million pounds that Alan Pardew paid for him. Yann M’Vila has been linked with a big money move to the Premier League in recent times and he also sits in the heart of midfield for Blanc. Samir Nasri missed out on the World Cup like Benzema did and he brings flair to the side and has shown before that on his day he can be un playable. Jeremy Menez, Loic Remy and Kevin Gameiro all look like exciting players should Blanc call on them. Gameiro looks like he can be top class and a good season with Paris Saint Germain will have him knocking on the door, not only of the squad but of the starting eleven.
3. A Manager Who Knows What He Is Doing.
Blanc is a man that brings a certain air of responsibility and knowledge around him wherever he goes as a manager and before now as a player. He looks like he has control of the situation that is the French national team unlike his predecessor who looked like he lost the plot. He has rebuilt this team in a very small amount of time in terms of international football. He has welcomed back players like Evra but has given youth a chance and they have blossomed under his stewardship.
The World Cup in 2014 may well be the big aim for France but there is no doubting this team, lead by Blanc can go a long way in Poland and Ukraine, regardless of the group in which they are drawn. If Benzema in particular is firing on all cylinders by June then France will have a huge chance with the Real Madrid striker in the starring role. The supporting cast of Cabaye, Lloris, M’Vila and Gameiro aren’t too bad either.
Mark Young @markyoung1988