Les Bleus WC Discussion

[Desert Eagle]

Defending champs still haven't gotten a thread , are they being overlooked?

Great win to start off the tournament , this is a team with Varane and Saliba on the bench.

Mbappe and Giroud have started well, could they repeat?

 

[Sayros]

Giroud scored goals, so we're screwed now. Better luck 4 years from now.

 

[kouroux]

Squad down only to 1 left footed defender who is the LB.

 

[NoPace]

Squad down only to 1 left footed defender who is the LB.

Did Ferland Mendy do something wrong? He’s so solid and in theory should suit Deschamps perfectly. Is there a LB better suited to coming on against a winger tormenting the starting LB in the entire world?

 

[Kopral Jono]

Favourites alongside Brazil.

 

[RedDevilMachine]

No Benzema no problem, Giroud steps up. They've been completely overlooked and under the radar because people wouldn't think it's possible to win back to back World Cups.

 

[Redfrog]

No Benzema no problem, Giroud steps up. They've been completely overlooked and under the radar because people wouldn't think it's possible to win back to back World Cups.

Because it’s not.
I am jinxing it .

 

[ThierryHenry14]

No Benzema no problem, Giroud steps up. They've been completely overlooked and under the radar because people wouldn't think it's possible to win back to back World Cups.

Giroud in my opinion is always a better fit for France in an attack with Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann than Benzema.

 

[kouroux]

Did Ferland Mendy do something wrong? He’s so solid and in theory should suit Deschamps perfectly. Is there a LB better suited to coming on against a winger tormenting the starting LB in the entire world?

Not really, Deschamps was criticized for taking too many CBs

 

[Bobade]

Beautiful kit.

 

[Oranges038]

They look impressive.

Just waiting for the squad meltdown. Should happen any day now.

 

[TheGame]

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[bosnian_red]

I still think they'll struggle come the knockout stage. Nobody expected Australia to actually do anything, did they? They are not good at all. France since the world Cup win have been very... Not good. They needed a big overhaul. But all the injuries might have forced that on them without the need to change the coach and is a blessing in disguise. Maybe also conceding first meant they had to change and just be more attacking which let them go wild. Mbappe and Dembele on the wings, Theo Hernandez now in, Tchouameni starting.. you just want Camavinga in next to him but Rabiot has done well too. Griezmann and Giroud as the 9/10 also works in these types of games, but with Dembele and Mbappe wide... You're going to have a tough time against bigger sides IMO. We'll see though.

Kind of the PSG question. Do they have enough high end player talent to make up for other deficiencies compared to others?

 

[WeePat]

They weren't that impressive despite the big scoreline. They'll get by on individual brilliance for a while though. Mbappe and Dembele will terrorise literally any defence they face.

 

[antk]

Did Ferland Mendy do something wrong? He’s so solid and in theory should suit Deschamps perfectly. Is there a LB better suited to coming on against a winger tormenting the starting LB in the entire world?

Nobody knows. Especially when we started the tournament with only 25 players AND when this exact issue was already our downfall at the Euros (no LB available meant going 3 at the back and starting Rabiot LWB against Switzerland).

If Théo gets unavailable for any reason in a serious game this is the end of the road.

 

[Idxomer]

They had spells where they played the type of football no other national team is capable of, it happened too in the last Euros.

If they improve defensively, they'll go far imo.

 

[Canagel]

Still the most talented NT in the world and its not even close tbh.

Which other nation could lose players of the calibre of Maignan, Kante, Pogba, Benzema,Nkunku and now Hernandez while not even calling up players like
Mendy,Tolisso,Diaby, Clauss and more.. and still be a top 2 or 3 favorite? The only thing that can stop them, as in 2021 is an internal implosion imo.

 

[Red the Bear]

Giroud scored goals, so we're screwed now. Better luck 4 years from now.

Why?

 

[tomaldinho1]

Giroud for golden boot

 

[Axe2401]

Benzema's injury is a blessing. We are so much better without him. Deschamps was kinda forced to make him play because of his Ballon d'Or status, but he never showed his Madrid form under the NT shirt.

Still the most talented NT in the world and its not even close tbh.

Which other nation could lose players of the calibre of Maignan, Kante, Pogba, Benzema,Nkunku and now Hernandez while not even calling up players like
Mendy,Tolisso,Diaby, Clauss and more.. and still be a top 2 or 3 favorite? The only thing that can stop them, as in 2021 is an internal implosion imo.

Yes, we are lucky to have such a quality depth. The real issue is the lack of experience of our midfield.

 

[Pintu]

Why?

He played well in 2018 but didn't score. As did their main number 9 in their winning squad of 1998 (Guivarch ? Former Rangers and N'Castle player if I'm not mistaken). He didn't score a single goal back then.

 

[Red the Bear]

He played well in 2018 but didn't score. As did their main number 9 in their winning squad of 1998 (Guivarch ? Former Rangers and N'Castle player if I'm not mistaken). He didn't score a single goal back then.

Ohh fun little trivia there.

 

[poleglass red]

that was a poor Australia team, so France, once they got going was always going to look good. I thought at times they were devastating, the threat from each width was impressive. There will be tougher tasks ahead, my only concern would be defensively, how would they cope with a top side in knockout stages. So far, so good.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

that was a poor Australia team, so France, once they got going was always going to look good. I thought at times they were devastating, the threat from each width was impressive. There will be tougher tasks ahead, my only concern would be defensively, how would they cope with a top side in knockout stages. So far, so good.

Is there any other top side in the tournament?

 

[balaks]

Is there any other top side in the tournament?

Germany, Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal off the top of my head - plenty of other very solid teams in there as well Denmark, Croatia, Mexico, etc.

 

[antk]

Germany, Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal off the top of my head - plenty of other very solid teams in there as well Denmark, Croatia, Mexico, etc.

The last 3 have been anything but solid in their first matches. Not to mention Argentina.

 

[balaks]

The last 3 have been anything but solid in their first matches. Not to mention Argentina.

You don't judge a team based on one game. If we did that we would hand England the world cup right now.

 

[Pass and Move]

I think France V England would be a really intriguing battle. Neither team has a particularly dominant midfield, so I see the match being won or lost from the wings. Shaw and Walker's pace could limit the joy Dembele and Mbappe usually get down the flanks.

 

[antk]

I think France V England would be a really intriguing battle. Neither team has a particularly dominant midfield, so I see the match being won or lost from the wings. Shaw and Walker's pace could limit the joy Dembele and Mbappe usually get down the flanks.

Walker is Mbappé's kryptonite.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

They're obviously one of the best teams regardless of injuries as their strength in depth was as it is ludicrous.

 

[Sayros]

I think France V England would be a really intriguing battle. Neither team has a particularly dominant midfield, so I see the match being won or lost from the wings. Shaw and Walker's pace could limit the joy Dembele and Mbappe usually get down the flanks.

I think we would deal with England. I really don’t see them as a dangerous match up for France. 18 years old Mbappé and 19 years old Demebele were already giving them huge headaches last time they faced, albeit in a friendly.

 

[bosnian_red]

They're obviously one of the best teams regardless of injuries as their strength in depth was as it is ludicrous.

The injuries (apart from Benzema) have helped them IMO. I thought they'd flop because things had just gone stale and Deschamps is one of those who would be overly loyal to his guys like Low was for Germany. Injuries have forced him to refresh the midfield, and start Theo Hernandez, so it might work out

 

[FootballHQ]

They weren't that impressive despite the big scoreline. They'll get by on individual brilliance for a while though. Mbappe and Dembele will terrorise literally any defence they face.

Yep agree with that. Don't think the Benzema injury is that huge for their chances as has been said they coped fine without him in 2016 and 18.

Not sure with all the injuries they've got as many solid combinations as in 2018. I presume the plan is to play Varane in the last group game and if he comes through then hope he can start all knock out games, certainly need his experience at the back. Was surprised Konate started given he hasn't played much at all for Liverpool.

Not sure a midfield two with Rabiot in it will hold up against the better midfields in this tournament either but again lack of options.

Really want to see England-France happen. England's chance to finally come out of the shadows a bit in people's minds.

 

[FootballHQ]

Is there any other top side in the tournament?

Brazil, Spain, France, England, Portugal.

Will surely be four of the SFs from those above although we should get a few surprise QFs based on first game results.

Would be amazed if the actual winner comes beyond those five.

 

[slored1]

Mbappe and Theo on the left is an unstoppable combination.

 

[NoPace]

Not really, Deschamps was criticized for taking too many CBs

Disasi over Mendy was a genuinely bizarre choice that weirdly looks worse now that a guy who plays CB at club level is injured.

Even with no reports, my guess is it's still something chemistry-based rather than pure footballing ability or fit.

 

[NoPace]

Nobody knows. Especially when we started the tournament with only 25 players AND when this exact issue was already our downfall at the Euros (no LB available meant going 3 at the back and starting Rabiot LWB against Switzerland).

If Théo gets unavailable for any reason in a serious game this is the end of the road.

It wouldn't be ideal, but teams have played right-footed CBs at LB before and done okay because of the defensive help and Kounde kinda seems like he can play anywhere. Howedes played every minute in a world cup win, so it can be done.

 

[Irwin99]

They're looking decent I think. As i said, I don't actually think Pogba and Kante are huge misses. They look to have good balance in the middle of the park, great width and Mbappe in great form.

Benzema still a huge miss though

 

[Idxomer]

They're at least making the final.

 

[2mufc0]

Mbappe on form they will go far.