France Cut Big Names: Can They Still Compete?

There has been a lot of talk since France released their roster for the World Cup next month, mostly in regard of those who will not be traveling with the team. Many argue that Coach Deschamps has not balanced the squad sufficiently with attack and defense, which could lead to disaster in such a competitive tournament.

A list showing the players that will not be on the plane to Russia fully highlights just how much depth France has on the international scene. Forwards Karim Benzema, Anthony Martial, and Alexandre Lacazette all miss out, along with quality youngsters Aymeric Laporte and Kingsley Coman. Of these players, Laporte is thought of as the next big defensive superstar in the soccer world, and players like Coman and Martial are always a threat with their pace. While not having the best seasons of their careers, Lacazette and Benzema both are dangerous strikers who could add a new dimension to any forward line. It is because of omissions like these from Deschamps, that cause many to believe that France have not taken full advantage of the chances they have for success this summer.

Despite these fantastic players missing out on the World Cup, I believe France still have an exceptional squad that will see them deep into the competition. They have some fantastic youthful defenders, all of whom play with passion. The midfield, despite missing players like Adrien Rabiot and Tiemoue Bakayoko, has a great mixture of defensive mindsets and attacking prowess, and the front line too has a variation of out and out forwards like Olivier Giroud, as well as tricky wingers such as starlet Kylian Mbappe. This will allow the team to adapt for each opponent, and potentially play a totally different strategy from game to game. 

To try and argue that France will not compete just because a few big names didn’t make the cut is foolish. With the huge list of players that Deschamps had to work from, it was inevitable that big names would miss out. This is why form is almost always more important than individual talent or the name on the back of your jersey, particularly when heading into what could be the closest World Cup in history. Could Martial have been useful in the squad? Of course, but not necessarily more than Mbappe or Thomas Lemar for example. What many fans forget is that international soccer is very different to domestic club play. The World Cup is do or die. One slip up, and you’re heading home. Confidence is key to success in these tournaments, arguably more than on any other occasion, hence Iceland’s success in 2016, and Costa Rica’s run in 2014. These teams were able to capitalize on rival coaches playing individuals lacking the needed confidence for success, and they punished them for it with ease. 

Whilst France were never an underdog, they have been eerily quiet the past few World Cups’. The 23 men heading to Russia are more than capable of winning the trophy for Les Tricolores. Period.