France

Allez Les Bleus? Really? Well, only if we add la maison onto the end of the chant. The French are undoubtedly second in the list of countries not to support at the World Cup this coming summer, with England naturally topping the chart here in Scotland.

In France 98 they were the team everyone was rooting for, yet, after a piece of magic from Trezeguet in 2000, merely four years after their World triumph, the French became the laughing stock, removing the red and blue from their flag and going out bottom of their rather tame World Cup group, only gaining 1 point and scoring 0 goals.

In Germany the French somehow made it to the final but we all know what happened next. Inspirational playmaker Zinedine Zidane put a blemish on his otherwise illustrious career by headbutting Marco Materazzi in the final. His actions resulted in a red card meaning he was unavailable to take a penalty in a shot-out, which Italy won 5-3.

Les Blues then cemented their increasingly poor likeability factor when they put out everyone’s best friends, the Irish, in a qualifying play-off match for this upcoming World Cup. This was bad enough, the fact that France won from a goal set up by Henry’s hand makes it down right scandalous. Even the French themselves were ashamed at the turn of events; that says it all.

In South Africa France will be hoping to change the attitude of worldwide fans with some dazzling displays of brilliance that one can only admire, not scorn. Unfortunately, whether the current crop of players quite have that ability is yet to be discovered. One thing that is certain though, is that if France want to progress, they may need to knock out the hosts, another popular move.

Along with South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico are the opposition that face our across the water neighbours. Effectively, France should top the group, although a shock exit is a possibility, especially with South Africa potentially playing somewhat above themselves, buoyed by the home support.

France’s longest serving manager is at the helm once again, Raymond Domenech surviving the mixed support he gets from wayward tactics and bewildering substitutions. His captain Thierry Henry has had a varied season for Barcelona, and looks like he may be leaving the Nou Camp, whereas Real’s Karim Benzema seems to be finding form that may push his predecessor out of the starting line-up. Especially if Nicolas Anelka keeps his place in the side.

Arguably, it is the wide players that will pose the opposition the greatest threat, with Frank Ribery and Florent Malouda terrorising the Bundesliga and Premiership respective defences. Anchoring the midfield will be Lassana Diarra and Jeremy Toulalan, which inevitably means that France’s new rising star Yoann Gourcuff may well have to settle for a place on the bench. The creative attacking midfielder in 90appearances for his current side Bordeaux has scored 24 goals and gained 25 assists, so shall not be bad substitute to bring on if a game needs turning.

The defence, with Gallas apart, appears to lack the international experience you may expect. Patrice Evra, unbelievably, only has 27 caps, although nobody can argue with his credentials as a world class left-back. Sagna has established himself as the nations right-back in his 17 caps and enters into his first World Cup. Sevilla’s Escude may partner Gallas, but he too has only 13 caps to his name.

With apparent inexperience at the back you would look to your keeper to provide the authority and stability needed in international football. Hugo Lloris is the man who will take charge between the posts and hopefully he shall be ready to face any opposition that their international opposition throw at him, having played only 9 times for France.

France’s defence is potentially problematic, it has the signs of quality, but lacks the nous needed to win the competition. The side will look to Gallas to guide them through the tournament, although, as anybody who has listened to pundits talk about Arsenal come the end of this season will know, everyone notions that if the Gunners are to progress a new centre-back is required, and they are not talking about Thomas Vermaelen.

Nobody really knows which French side is going to turn up to South Africa. Like the rugby team we see so often in the Six Nations, the nation is very temperamental. There is the possibility that they will crash out in the group stages, however, you should not discount them just yet they may face England in the dreaded quarter-finals.