Deschamps leans on Ligue 1 for late call ups for France

Last chance?

We all knew this would happen, some players have to beg off the French matches in South America. Namely - Menez, Nasry and Clichy. In their places, Deschamps looks to lean on players from Ligue 1 to come in as reinforcements: Lacazette, Grenier and Trémoulinas. The first two from Lyon and the last from Bordeaux. An experienced bunch at the youth levels, Grenier having won the European U19 title and having reached the semi finals of the U20 World Cup. This should be a good test run for Lacazette and Grenier, but also might represent a great chance for Tremoulinas to try and get into the conversation for left back. With Evra off the list and Clichy hurt, the Bordeaux man might have a chance to put himself into the conversation for the World Cup.

What is the hidden story, is what this means for Nasri. He might still be able to make the games. However many rightfully pointed out that this might prove to be the Manchester City midfielders last chance to make things right with Les Bleus and to get him back into the conversation for a slot to Brazil in 2014 (assuming France make it!). With the likes of Ribery and Menez out, there was a great chance for Nasri to get plenty of playing time, especially in the creative midfield role. Question becomes, can he find a way to get himself ready for the mini tour of South America, or will his window to wear the France strip be quickly closing?

Best wishes for rapid recovery for Abidal - opens door for Evra and FFF?

The latest from Barcelona is that their left back , Eric Abidal, will be operated for a liver tumor. All reports point to his ability to have a normal recovery and will be back on the pitch in a reasonable time frame. That is the essential and we wish Eric the best of luck and speedy recovery. Of course his absence prior to Blanc's list for the upcoming matches against Luxembourg and Croatia opens an interesting question: will Evra be brought back into the fold?

Next FFF left back?

Blanc had clearly slotted Abidal as his starting left back, and I would assume that once Abidal is back on the pitch he will continue to assume that slot. However in the short term who will be in that position? Based on the prior matches it would appear that the Gunner's left back Clichy will be given the starting role. But what about Evra? Will the Manchester United left back find his way back onto the list. Other alternatives - Tremoulinas (played under Blanc at Bordeaux) or Cissokho from Lyon. I think that Blanc will take this as a chance to call up Tremoulinas and at some level I think that the competition for the #2 left back is open, I am not convinced that Clichy has a lock on that spot. Tremoulinas has more of an offense minded game and has more consistency when it comes to his crosses than his Arsenal counterpart. I do think that Blanc sees Evra as the center piece of what transpired in South Africa last summer and is not convinced he would be a welcome presence in the French dressing room. We will see tomorrow when Blanc unveils his list.

Best of luck to Abidal and wishes for a rapid recovery.