Monday, May 12, 2014

48 hours before the first list - where will the surprises come from for Deschamps and France?

In about 48 hours DD, will announce his first list for the World Cup. A list of 30 names that will need to be cut down to the 23 that will head to Brazil. Doing a rough estimate there

Hmmmm who will I take with me to Brazil?
seems to be about 15 names that will go to Brazil barring any injury. Here are how I see the 15:


  1. Lloris GK
  2. Mandanda GK
  3. Koscielny Def
  4. Sakho Def
  5. Varane Def
  6. Evra Def
  7. Debuchy Def
  8. Sagna Def
  9. Matuidi MF
  10. Cabaye MF
  11. Pogba MF
  12. Ribery MF
  13. Valbuena MF
  14. Benzema FW
  15. Giroud FW
So that leaves us with 15 more slots that should be on the list Tuesday. The next group are players that I think have an excellent chance to go to Brazil, but are not locks like my first 15:
  1. Landreau GK
  2. Mangala Def
  3. Digne Def
  4. Mavuba MF
  5. Grenier MF
  6. Remy FW
That gives us 21 names for the list...2 more to go to Brazil and 9 total more for the Tuesday list. Here are 9 names I think will be added to the above.
  1. Ruffier - The St Etienne keeper has been capped before. He seems to be the leading candidate to take the #3 role for Les Bleus. The question becomes, with Landreau announcing his retirement, does this change the way DD approaches the #3 role in goal? Should he go with a keeper that can learn from the experience or give a veteran an homage for a solid pro career? Regardless, expect the St Etienne keeper to be in camp.
  2. Rami - The central defender used to be a mainstay with Les Bleus, but since DD has taken over the ranks his star has fallen. Does the move to AC Milan indicate some stability is in the future for the former Lille star? Deschamps will most likely want to look at some other central defenders. He will have some flexibility with the likes of Sakho who has played out wide for Liverpool at times. So many DD doesn't feel he needs to carry as many defenders, but I feel he will want to take a look in camp at all his options. (I could also see DD calling up Zouma from St Etienne as cover in the center of defense)
  3. Kurawa - There were rumblings that the Monaco left back was going to be called up for the last France friendly. Instead Digne was called up and got a half in during the 2-0 France victory. But I have a feeling DD will want to see both young French left backs. Might be an open competition for the role backing up Evra.
  4. Schneiderlin - Get ready for this surprise. The Southampton midfielder has been a
    Surprise visit to Clairefontaine?
    rising name in the EPL. The player should be in camp. If DD goes 4-3-3, which I believe he will, there will be need for cover in that middle 3. In particular, players who can act as the sentinel in front of the defensive back 4 - something Morgan has done with aplomb at Southampton. 
  5. Nasri - The former OM midfielder has a lot of controversy around him. The rumors of his being a cancer in the dressing room continue to dominate any conversation of the Manchester City midfielder. Even though Sami seems to assume he will be watching the World Cup on TV, I think he will still get a look. His offensive talents are difficult to leave at home.
  6. Payet - The current OM winger/midfielder has fallen out of grace with DD. Not that I am surprised. I just don't see what he brings, other than he can play on the right wing. But DD seems to like him and I have a feeling will at least get a call to camp, maybe even a plane ticket to Brazil.
  7. Gonalons - The Lyon captain has had a few cups of coffees with the national side. Deschamps seems to like solid holding midfielders who can control the pace of the game. Something the OL midfielder does. Look for him to have a call up and outside shot at heading to Brazil. Would be in direct competition with Schneiderlin and Mavuba to take the role as holding midfielder behind Cabaye. 
  8. Lacazette - With 15 goals this season in France, he is quietly working his way back into the conversation. Is he a winger or top of formation striker? He seems to be able to fill both roles, something that DD might want to take a serious look at. 
  9. Gomis - Ok another OL player I realize. But the other OL striker has always been a fringe national team player. And when he has had his chance to play he has shown some glimpses - remember his brace in his first game for France? I am not sure that DD will want more than 3 strikers on his final roster (I am considering Remy as a striker, along with Benzema and Giroud) so the opportunity for another pure striker to go to Brazil are thin. But maybe DD cannot pass up a goal scoring player...
Players on the outside looking in - Menez, Clichy, Ben Arfa, Stambouli, Cabella, Ben Yedder, Gignac, to name a few.

Should be an interesting list on Tuesday. What do you think of the list?  

2 comments:

Chris said...

Like the list, am a bit surprised not to see Antoine Griezmann. He's had quite the season and getting him to Brazil as a super sub to come on the last 30 mins of a close game to score could be right in his wheelhouse. Tomorrow should be interesting...

GFC said...

Oops that was my oversight...Griezmann was a definite for me.