France's list for the upcoming World Cup matches

So Raymond releases his list of players for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Serbia, two matches that represent the key matches in France's World Cup campaign. So first the list:

Gardiens : C. Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille).
Défenseurs : Abidal (FC Barcelone, ESP), Clichy (Arsenal, ANG), Escudé (FC Séville, ESP), Evra (Manchester United, ANG), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal, ANG), Sagna (Arsenal, ANG), Squillaci (FC Séville, ANG).
Milieux : A. Diarra (Bordeaux), L. Diarra (Real Madrid, ESP), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Malouda (Chelsea, ANG), Ribéry (Bayern Munich, ALL), Diaby (Arsenal, ANG), Toulalan (Lyon).
Attaquants : Anelka (Chelsea, ANG), Benzema (Real Madrid, ESP), Gignac (Toulouse), Henry (FC Barcelone, ESP), Rémy (Nice).

Nothing surprising, the main pseudo surprise is the absence once again of the captain - Vieira. However this makes sense, why? France will be playing 2 games in a week, both of which are crucial in determining if France qualify or at least keep their ability to qualify alive in Group 7. Vieira has started playing again for Inter Milan, but he is far from being 100%. He has not played the full 90 minutes in many months. He is really, at best, a super sub for Inter Milan and spot starter that cannot be relied up for more than 45 - 60 minutes. Domenech and Les Bleus cannot risk that what happened in Romania last year occurs again...Vieira gets hurt in warm ups and cannot play at all. This smells as if it is the end of Pat's international career, althought Domenech will not state this publically...which he cannot.

However I do not see how Vieira comes back. If France plays well over these two matches and puts themself back in the lead of Group 7 or at least secures their position as the runner up, can Domenech look to reshuffle a successful line up to make room for an aged and injury prone Vieira for the next games? And will Vieira regain a semblance of his old self over the next 10 months to get him to the World Cup? On the other hand, if France stumble over these next 2 matches, fall further behind Serbia and maybe back into a dog fight for the #2 spot, will Domench...or the new manager, want to rely on the same player for games that either will not matter or be of even greater importance? There will probably be a need for a major overhaul to attempt to either save the campaign or prepare for the Euros.

In both situations the likelihood of Vieira coming back and playing a crucial role for Les Bleus appear to diminish with every passing day. It is not as if you want to get Vieira back into the line up for Euro Qualifiers after the WC....I highly doubt that Pat even thinks he will continue to play internationally after South Africa next season one way or another.

I have never hidden my admiration and respect for Pat. He has been, in my opinion, the greatest defensive/holding midfielder France has ever had (my post on who the top 5 were)...but all great players move on. We will see the #4 strip grace the pitches for France again, but I fear it will not be Vieira carrying it on his shoulders.

Other observations on the selection:

The Good:

• Diaby - no surprise there. His two goal game against Portsmouth teased us again with regards to his worldly talent and potential, now if he can only stay healthy. What drives me crazy about Abou is that he could be a midfielder in the mold of Vieira - a box to box midfielder who can tackle, pass and score. Granted he is less talented defensively than Vieira but is more of an offensive force....but the injury bug visits him too often.
  
• Clichy - joins his fellow Gunner on the side, a deserved call up, too bad there is Evra and Abidal competing for his post. But never a bad thing to have such depth.
• Malouda - The Chelsea winger is back in form, he could be a valuable cog to Les Bleus just like he was during the last World Cup.

The Bad:

• Goalkeepers - Domenech must determine who is the #1 for Les Bleus. All three keepers are solid, granted the #1 should be Frey...but that boat has sailed. Mandanda? Lloris? Let us figure out who it is and stick with it. Granted none of the keepers has stepped up and earned the role. But if this is not resolved it will be very bad for Les Bleus.
  

The Ugly:

• Um no Mexes? Why oh why is he not being worked into the team? Granted when given the chances earlier during the campaign he did not shine. But he is too young and too talented not to be given another opportunity. Just having him work with the team in practice would be worth selecting him. I am not sure why Domenech teases us with calling him up and then not calling him, starting him then letting sit on the bench...ugh. What really drives me crazy is if any of the defenders need to drop out of the team guess who will get the call up???? The donkey Boumsong!
  

I will be very interested to see if Ribery starts, and if so where does he play? On the left side where he prefers? Or on the right to make room for Henry? Then what about Malouda? Here is how I think they should line up:

Mandanda
Abidal - Gallas - Escude -Sagna
Toulalan - LDiarra
Malouda - Gourcuff - Ribery
Henry

Let the Malouda - Abidal combination work on left side, they played very well together there for Lyon and for Les Bleus. Ribery might not start, so potential Gignac could slot in on the right side and Ribery be a late game sub. I opt for Henry over Benzema or Anelka because while he has not taken over big games in tournaments, Henry has stepped up in qualifiers - at Ireland against Lithuania...games where goals were needed he got them.

France's World Cup is going to be determined during these games. 4 points at the minimum must be earned, but really the full 6 are needed if they want to avoid having to play the runners' up play in game. It is going to be a long few days.....