Mathieu Flamini has been called up to the French national team for cover...central defenders have been dropping like flies: Gallas and Boumsong remain injured, Thuram is not 100%, Mexes and Squillaci both picked up knocks over the weekend. Abidal also picked up a knock, not that he is a central defender, but he could have slotted there if need be. This leaves the French with the following combo - Givet and Escude. Not the worst combo but one that has never played together at the heart of the National team defense. While Flamini has turned into a "nice" player, I would never envision him as a full international, plus where does he play? He has demonstrated that he can slot at left back, or defensive midfielder, but Domenech needs a central defender. So the question remains why did Domenech select him? Silvestre has shown spurts for Manchester United and he can play in the middle of the pitch, how about Sylain Distin from Manchester City? Someone who has never bee mentioned, but a player that plays central defense and has demonstrated an ability to more than hold his own in the most difficult league in the world (more than Boumsong did at Newcastle, but don't get me started on that topic) If Domenech is using this situation as a opportunity to get a look at a defensive player than why not select Clichy...he has emerged as the starting left back for Arsenal, while he cannot play in the middle of the defense, he can slot on the left with Abidal out, giving Domench a chance to look at the youngster.Flamini will most likely not see the pitch, he is at least 5th in line for defensive midfielder: Vieira, Makelele, Toulalan and Mavuba (Diarra not being selected), he is, at best a stop gap at left back, and cannot play sweeper or stopper...so why select him?
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