Benzema

cw1984

Benzema was the livliest French player, he looked like he was at least trying.

As for Ben Arfa.... no thanks.

032Devil

He was still average though.

friendlytramp

after his performances i have no doubt we should try and sign him and Koller

rooney__10

I am not sure what game a lot of people were watching but benzema was probably france's best player, he ran at people commited them, nearly would have scored if it wasn't for a fantastic save from buffon.

You could tell he was nervous in the first game and he still had a bit of nerves in this game, reminds me of how ribery started out in the world cup, a few nervy games then he came into his own. If ribery stayed on with france having 11 men they would have won the game.

Benzema reminds me a lot of rooney although not as good. In a shit french team he was the shining light and thats not easy to do at his age. Toulana was superb aswell shearer is a gobshite.

Johnno

Benzema still managed a few dcent chances against an Italian defence solidified by a midfield running rings around the depleted French; Domenech is dumb-fuck for bringing on, then withdrawing Nasri and should have taken off one of Makelele or Toulalan, probably Makelele for me wh is ageing and Toulalan is a very solid performer for Lyons.
Getting back on track, Benzema stands out like a sore thumb and his talent is evident, anyone who is baseing their views of this lad on the French performances are clueless, he is quality and I would love him, although I would suggest he'll stay at Lyons another season at least and will probably leave after the next World Cup, when everyone will see his talent.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

Johnno is right

Brwned

You can only do so much with the ball when you are playing in a team of underperforimg cnuts with no movement. He did well and was always dangerous.

RedThaiDevils#7

I agree with Johno. Benzema stands out not to mention Ribery.

ALX8725

I pretty much agree with what was said (all the positives). Benzema was France's best player yesterday, he 8 times out of 10 he would be able to beat his man, and more... just by dribbling through them. He looked the most dangerous out of the whole French squad.

His play yesterday reminds me a lot of Rooney on the left wing and where Podolski was been playing for Germany this tournament so far.... shows a lot about a striker who can play all these positions at such a young age and be effective and efficient in all his roles.

Dino

Benzema is clearly talented and he was France best player against Italy.Direct with good technical ability and is just going to get better.

Johnno

Exactly right mate.
I dare say he would have finished at least a few of those half-dozen chances Toni was gifted if the tables were turned.
Toni apparently scored 39 goals for Bayern last season; that shows the dominance Bayern have in the league given this guy who has a low goal-per-chance ratio can still score as many.
Imagine Benzema at Bayern, or indeed United where he will be given the opportunities to score, instead of having to create his own chances as he had to in the Italy game...

amolbhatia100

Not really. He could have done a lot better. Some of his passing in the this period of 15 mins was woeful. He looks talented and you can see that. But it was clear he never had the best of tournaments. Infact if you judge is performances without considering his age and the stage, he was very average.

amolbhatia100

Maybe Toni is actually better at getting into goal scoring positions?
Maybe Toni normally puts those away (i really dont know!)?
Maybe he makes most of those chances through his movement and really he gets shots away (on or off target) where others wouldnt?

Johnno

I've seen Toni numerous times and whilst I know he scored a lot for Fiorentina and Bayern, for Itay in the last World Cup he was average missing big chances and this game he missed a ton, a ton, of chances, clear cut ones too.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

Johnno, only God knows what happen to Toni an an Italian shirt. He simply loses his clinical edge.

Brwned

Lack of movement. You can't play nice passes into threatening positions if there isn't any movement and Italy are on top. And what about the other 75 mins?

Neither did anyone in the France team. He is 19 years old, he can't carry the whole team on his own.

Ok, but if you consider his age and the stage he did fairly well.

fergieisold

One of those average performances where you can tell someone has bags of talent though!

Would like to sign him, but he would cost way too much

dev1l

Watched Benzema vs Italy. He was France's best player (after Ribery went off injured).

Unfortunately alongside him he had a clueless Govou and Thierry "past it" Henry.

Otherwise, he possesses a good shot, goes past players with certain ease and is quite strong.

amolbhatia100

Sure but you dont have to pass it between people. Was average the rest of the time.

Rooney at Euro 2004 was amazing. No one particularly stood. He was running the whole show. Magnificent. Benzema's Euro campaign pales in comparison.

No he didnt. He was still average. You expect some more glimses of brilliance from the supposed 'Striker Zidane'.

anything about now

Benzema Blames Referee For Italy Defeat

Les Bleus' miserable European Championships came to an end last night as their 2-0 defeat to Italy means they finish bottom of Group C, with just one point, one goal, and having conceded six in their three matches.

Raymond Domenech's men did not have the footballing Gods shining down on them against Italy, as after just eight minutes star man Franck Ribery was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.

Things got worse on 24 minutes when Eric Abidal conceded a penalty and was sent off. Andrea Pirlo scored from the spot, and there was no way back for the French from then on.

Young striker Benzema has been critical of Slovakian official Lubos Michel, and blames him for France's exit.

"We lost because the referee did not help us,” blasted Benzema.

“And then we paid for the injury to Ribery."

Benzema was one of France's best players on the night, and he would have scored with a curling effort from the edge of the area had it not been for a world class save from Gianluigi Buffon.

lol

devilish

Poor lad. He thought that he was the next Pele because he scored a couple of goals in the French league and then the bubble burst right on his face and he cannot stop whining. Let us see whether his beloved Real would want him now.

Ekeke

... Barcelona ...

Were he to come out and say he actually quite fancies a move this summer, I'd love us to bid for him. If he'd had a very good euro tournament his fee would have been through the roof. As it is, we'd be looking at an Essien fee.

People can scoff all they want, but if you dont see his potential as a 20 year old kid out performing the big names in France's squad, then you've got nothing. Hell, half the caf wanted us to sign Anelka earlier on in the season - Benzema played twice as well as him

Not all of the higher profile strikers are actually playing well in this tournament.

Ruud, Podolski, Villa, Torres, Van Persie... I'm going to have to add Kuyt - They have all left their mark already.

Gomez, Klose to an extent, Toni, Henry, Anelka and Benzema were misfiring.

Name Changed

He gave the ball away over and over again. He was their liveliest player, but he really disappointed me. He gave the ball away far too cheaply.

Ekeke

He did give the ball away more than he usually does. But that was in part due to none of the French players actually wanting the ball or being alive to it. Well, aside from Toulalan.

Spoonatov

I was impressed by him. Definitely has talent. Reminded my of the fat Ronaldo, when he took players on.

anything about now

Odd, didn't give me that impression at all. Rooney did however, when he first came onto the scene. But it could be that Benzema had to drop back and play behind Henry rather than off the shoulders of the defenders.

Still, far far too overrated and worth nowhere near the 40m touted by caftards.

RedRonaldo

I am impressed with Benzema, even when he has an average game. Of all the players from other team, I want him most.

marcus agrippa

Benzema was France's best player yesterday, don't know what some of you lot are on about.

the rest of the team was gash, though. shockingly pedestrian, and predictable. Domenech should be sacked, there's no two ways about it. Abidal at CB? - doesn't bring Mexes, who'd be a better option than Abidal or Boumsong. doesn't bring Trezeguet, who's scored 20 goals in Serie A, has experience at this level, and instead brings along Gomis and Anelka; the first's lack of experience was plain when he featured, and the latter, well, let's just say he isn't the player he was (coming off a bit-part role for Chelsea in the latter half of the season). and then he starts two essentially defensive players in the middle, meaning France didn't have any creative spark at all, or penetration down the centre. what a moron. can't believe he kept the job so long.

REd FUn DevIl

Benzema showed at least that he has a lot of talent and he will just get better. He is just 20 ffs dont forget that. The problem is he doesnt seem interested in come to us and will remain at Lyon but with no doubt is the right man for our team.

If we can we should move for him. Berbatov will be my second choice.

friendlytramp