So I have time to digest the last France game in addition to consume all that could find on the web about the match and the team. The next big stage for Les Bleus will be the final list of 23 that Domenech will have to determine. This has given me some pause for thought, we all know that Domenech has some interesting way of selecting players and is not one that is not known for pulling a fast one...we also know that he likes players that can play different positions and different systems. So here are the 23 I think he will take....and the 23 I would take -
Domenech's 23-
Keepers: Coupet, Landreau, and Frey.
Defenders: Abidal, Gallas, Thuram, Sagnol, Mexes, Evra, Escude, and Clerc
Midfielder: Vieira, Makelele, Toulalan, Ribery, Malouda, Gouvou, LDiarra, and Nasri
Strikers: Henry, Benezema, Anelka, and Cisse
I think Domenech might sacrifice Clerc for another midfielder such as Ben Afra, since he can always slot LDiarra back on defense if need be to cover the defensive flanks. Ben Afra would give him another wide option and a player that could also play up front.
My 23-
Keepers -
Coupet - clear French #1, he was the clear #1 at the world cup except to Domenech and Martini
Landreau - while he has had a bad spell he remains a top keeper
Frey - The Fiorentina keeper, if he were English, would be the Three Lions clear #1
Defenders -
Thuram -The old lion still has the guile and experience to anchor the French back line. The question will be can he pace himself for club to ensure he is fresh for the Euros
Gallas - The Arsenal captain has come under scrutiny for his actions for the Gunners, but for France there is no arguing that his partnership is the glue that holds the back 4 for Les Bleus.
Sagnol - He remains France's best right back (although I will agree with Sam that Sagna is closing in on that title) Willy brings the ability to hit "beckhamesc" crosses and gives the French game more width.
Abidal - The former Lyon defender has made himself the #1 option for Barca. He remains France's #1 left back...but not by much with Evra and Clichy making cases for the role.
Escude - His ability to play in the middle or on the flanks makes him a valuable asset to the French squad.
Evra - He has entrenched himself as the #1 left back for Manchester United. He has the pace and flair to jump into any attack
Mexes - There is a love hate relationship between the Roma player and Domenech...actually more hate than love. But the central defenders talents are unquestionable...while he is prone to the rash challenge here and there, that will change with maturity and age, I think he and Gallas are the future central defense pairing for Les Bleus.
Clichy - I could argue that his Arsenal defensive partner, Sagna, is more deserving to go, however I think the natural lefty would gain more from the experience than would Sagna. Clichy may very well be the future left back for Les Bleus, being able to see him in training will be very valuable for Domenech to determine this. Additionally, in a pinch I have no fear of seeing Clichy lined up on the left side of the French defense.
Midfielders -
Vieira-The French captain is sure to be there short of injury. He still has something to give, is a monster tackler, can distribute the ball and chips in with a goal once in a while.
Makelele - The other half of the old guard. He is up there in age, and at times shows his age for club. However watching him play for Les Bleus it is clear that he gets a boost of fire. Against England he was the engine in the middle, stopping English attacks and starting the French counters.
Ribery - I think the Bayern man will have a big tournament. It was clear that during the World Cup he started to feel comfortable and allowed his game to show the talent and flair that made him one of the most exciting players in Europe. He will not be in awe on the big stage, and I think with Zidane no longer on the team Ribery will look to make the midfield his.
Malouda - While no longer seeing the pitch at Stamford Bridge, he remains a strong wing player for Les Bleus. The main issue will be if his lack of playing time will put too much rust on the former Lyon midfielder.
Toulalan - The next Makelele? The holding midfielder has an incredible work rate, is a solid tackler, good distributor and is fearless. He is the heir to the Makelele role for Les Bleus.
L Diarra - The other player often seen as the heir to Makelele. He has demonstrated with Portsmouth that when given time he can be an engine in the midfield. He can also slot back at left or right back if need be, which makes him very valuable.
Nasri - The OM player brings Les Bleus an offensive option any side would relish. He can slot in the middle just behind a lone striker, or play the #10 role in a 4-4-2. He can score goals and distribute.
Rothen - Maybe it is my PSG bias...but he is one of the few natural left sided players. He could provide some great width to Les Bleus. I could even see a team with Rothen playing the left channel with Sagnol coming up the right, the service to the strikers would be deadly from either flank. He can even slot to the middle of the park to play the #10 role. If Domenech goes with 3 offensive midfielders you could have a Ribery - Nasri - Rothen midfield supporting Anelka or Henry....Rothen's passing and crossing game would be a good change to a typical speed game from Malouda.
Strikers -
Henry - The Barca man is not having his best season, and I would argue that he is no longer France's #1 striker. However he remains a dangerous player with bags of pace and the ability to score at any moment. Will this be "his" tournament?
Benezema -The young French phenom is having a huge season for Lyon. His name will be spoken at many a big clubs this summer and moving forward. He is young, big, fast, and can score for anywhere on the pitch....what else do you want from a striker?
Anelka - The incredible sulk is France's #1 striker....no question. There has never been any question he could score, it was his attitude that always seems to have held him back. Yet with age it appears that he has come to accept and be comfortable with his role and his place in football. He is the complete striker. He has the pace to take the ball from deep and attack a defense, he can shoot from anywhere, he can score with his head, he can poach, he can distribute, and he is not afraid to drop very deep to recover a ball. I think he can also be looked to in the Euros to carry the scoring burden for Les Bleus.
Trezeguet - Yes I would still put the Juve man on this team. He is the one striker in this list that gives an additional dimension...the "fox in the box" striker. While I realize this will not happen, see my last rant about Les Bleus, I think he would be a great option to have on your bench or in your starting line up. You could bring in Trezegol into a game when you want to throw a bunch of crosses into the box, forcing a defense to defend lower...thereby opening space for the midfielders.
Not a huge difference between rosters, but I would not take Domenech's binky - Gouvou....never understood why he loved the Lyon player. The other players on the cusp for my team -
Ben Afra - a good option for the midfield/striker role. He has the pace and width to change a game. I would not be averse to seeing him go to Austria/Switerzland.
Flamini - for me a toss up between the "French Gattuso" and LDiarra. I think Diarra has a little more to give in his game but not by much.
Sagna - a toss up between him and Clichy for the last defensive spot, but think the left back would gain more from the experience.
Cisse - the striker is in form for Marseilles, but too similar to the other strikers.
Mandanda - the OM keeper could be the future for Les Bleus...but not sure which keeper I would kick off to make room for the youngster...his time will come.
We shall see what Domenech decides...I am sure I will second guess him!
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