Team Profiles
Euro 2020 Profile France
The 2018 World Cup winners in Russia, France are looking to emulate Spain make the double by winning Euro 2020 scheduled in 2021. Manager Didier Deschamps selected 26 players from a pool of high-profile players in the country with startling squad depth.
The headline of the squad selection was the return of Karim Benzema to the national side.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Lille)
Defenders: Leo Dubois (Lyon), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea), Jules Kounde (Sevilla), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Lucas Digne (Everton), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)
Forwards: Thomas Lemar (Atletico), Marcus Thuram (Gladbach), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)
Strengths:
Quality all over the Pitch: From Goalkeepers to 2nd choice forwards, France have such frightening pool of talent that their 2nd choice team might also easily make the quarter finals. Looking at France’s team it is difficult to pin-point any position that can be targeted by the opposition or which can be said to be the team’s weak link.
No of Match Winners: France have the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann, Benzema who all have the capability to produce a moment of magic. Add to it the likes of Dembele, Coman and Giroud the Les Blues also have strength in depth to make the difference from the bench if required. Additionally, the presence of N Golo Kante means France also see the best out of Pogba in a devastating midfield duo.
Weaknesses
Inclusion of Benzema: France are such a well-oiled unit with Giroud playing a crucial role as a facilitator for Mbappe and Griezmann from the centre forward position. There is a threat that despite’s Benzema’s obvious quality, the Real Madrid forward might not get the best out of his fellow attackers the way Giroud used to do.
Recent Inconsistency: France picked up just 1 point out of 6 against Turkey and also struggled against Ukraine recently. France have struggled for fluency against well-organized teams who don’t leave space behind them to exploit.
