Ligue 1 Talk

French coach Raymond Domenech is a believer in astrology. A few years ago, he hinted to the idea that if he had to chose between two players, he might take into account such factors. This is exactly part of what makes him detested by a vast majority of the French population, and contributes to the constant reinforcing of his self-victimization and of his character as someone who will forever remain misunderstood by public opinion.

By now, it is known to everyone that Domenech will leave his position at the end of the World Cup, a time at which the French will breathe a huge sigh of relief – and then start complaining, in their usual fashion, about the shortcomings of the new coach.

But for know, and before Domenech announces his 23 for the March 3rd friendly against Spain, let’s try to get in Domenech’s mind for just a minute. His uncanny ability to surprise everyone with the weirdest call-ups (Pascal Chimbonda anyone?) leaves me thinking, and I will try to summarize whom I think could be THE surprise player(s) who are in the works for a call-up. For the sake of easiness, I’ll include uncapped players, but also players who’ve had less than 5 caps or who’ve been on the fringe of the FNT for a few years.

Goalkeepers

Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda have all but locked up the top two spots . This leaves us with a 3rd spot, which traditionally goes to a guy who is generally not better than other players who didn’t get selected, but who can act as a relay between younger and older players in the group, or who can bring a good atmosphere and who’s already had spome kind of international experience. Or it could very well go to a young keeper who’s deemed to be the future of the team and who will take advantage of a full month or more of practice with the group to ease in the transition.

The latter seems unlikely : Lloris is 23, Mandanda 24. They are inarguably the future of Les Bleus at the position, and it’s a shame that both of them are peaking at the same time. I’m sure England wouldn’t mind having one of the two, but thank God for the USA, they don’t. Who is the likely number 3?

I’m ready to bet that Mickaël Landreau will be that one. He was #3 at WC06 and served as the buffer between the inflated ego of Fabien Barthez and the understandable unhappiness of Grégory Coupet. Landreau has been a part of the FNT for years now, knows a vast majority of players as well as the coach who has never had anything to blame Landreau for, maybe except for a missed save on a James McFadden long-range curler. As far as performances are concerned, Landreau, after having torn his ACL early in the season, came back amazingly quickly and is back to his average level of performance, which is by all accounts not amazing but puts him in the French top 10 (from which I exclude Grégory Coupet and – sadly – Sébastien Frey, who’ve retired from the FNT, Domenech-led).

Now there is a case to be made for the likes of Yohann Pelé or Nicolas Douchez, but let’s face it, they have virtually no chance to make it. The cases of Cédric Carrasso and Stéphane Ruffier are worth more discussion. Bordeaux’s shotstopper Carrasso was called up once, and is having a solid season for the defending champions. At the age of 28, he can argue that he’s had a solid career so far, facing huge pressure in Marseille and taking over in Bordeaux  in situations where he was expected to perform immediately. He is a smart player and would fit in right with the group . He is #2 on my list of #3s.

Monaco’s Stéphane Ruffier is the buzz of the season, and it seems like he’s overtaken Pelé and Douchez in the hierarchy. He is a great part of why Monaco has been successful this season and would definitely deserve a call-up at some point. However I don’t see that happening before the friendlies of August 2010.

All this shows that the Frech goalkeeping pool is EXTREMELY deep and talented. It is also of notice that none of the above cited goalkeepers are over 30, which bodes well for the future of the FNT at that position. The decision will be between Landreau and Carrasso – I’m sticking with Landreau.

Defenders

Probably the position where there is less wiggle room for Domenech. You can mess with the midfield and attack, but not with defense. That is something he knows and has adhered to strictly in the past. Therefore I don’t seem him messing with the central defender pool, which means the furthest he might go is to call Jean-Alain Boumsong who is on a streak with Lyon. There have recently been talks of Bordeaux’s Mickaël Ciani being called up for France. His first year in a big club has seen him perform solidly at every game, where his strength and positioning have made him one of the best central defenders of the league. He also is very good on set pieces (unsurprisingly so for a Bordeaux player), which is a weakness of the French team. His teammate Marc Planus has also had a very solid season, something Domenech has to have noticed. I believe that Everton’s Sylvain Distin deserves a mention as he is having as solid a season as ever with the Toffees, and is responsible for their good show in the EPL this season.

The rotation at right back seems to be set, with Bakary Sagna and Rod Fanni being called up regularly for the past couple years, and with the knowledge that Lassana Diarra can fill if catastrophes were to take place.

Competition at left back behind Patrice Evra is strong – another position where France has more players than they will ever need. Gaël Clichy seems to be #2, but Aly Cissokho and Benoît Trémoulinas can not be discounted. Lyon’s Cissokho seems to have the edge over Trémoulinas, as he was called up by Domenech for the Ireland matchups ; but he hasn’t been as strong since, whereas Trémoulinas has remained consistent at a very high level.

Bear in mind that Abidal, Gallas, Escudé, Squilacci will all be unavailable for the Spain match, so look forward to some surprises that are unlikely to carry on into South Africa.

Midfielders

Alou Diarra was in a career-high form before his injury, and barring a setback à la Ribéry, will go to South Africa. His potential replacement, Abou Diaby, is also injured. There is a strong chance that Moussa Sissoko from Toulouse will get called up. Apart from Lassana Diarra and Jérémy Toulalan, who could make it in?

The case has long been made by Marseille supporters for their beloved Benoît Cheyrou, who regulates OM’s game with precision and is largely responsible for their renewed relevance on the Ligue 1 scene. But he doesn’t seem to fit the profile that Domenech expects from his defensive midfielders, which is to say athleticism and ball poaching qualities, and to hell with the rest.

Then there is the tricky question of what to do with Patrick Vieira. He barely played with Inter, went to Manchester City for the great chall… money and is now serving a 3-match ban for, what else, kicking a player in the nuts. But Domenech has remained very open to a return – something he doesn’t have the habit of doing – and has even pretty much said that if Vieira played regularly, he would make him captain. The 33-year old would bring much needed leadership to a team, something Domenech is desperate for, since Henry or Gallas can’t seem to handle it and Ribéry has been playing with it like a toy he uses for his well-documented pranks.

The question of offensive midfielders is a little trickier. Domenech bought into the (questionable) trend of using strikers/forwards as wingers, which makes guessing a little more difficult. As far as natural wingers are concerned, the only surprises might come from Marseille’s Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Valbuena. The former has been on a tear as of recently, recently departing from his status as a behavioral-challenged starlet to become the Vélodrome’s new hero, which led Marseille’s manager of operations José Anigo to say that Ben Arfa should be called up, “because he is better than all of the gourds that play for the FNT at the moment”. Valbuena, after being put on the chopping block during the January transfer window, is also back in the mix for Didier Deschamps’ team. However, it is highly unlikely that any of them will get called up, except if Ribéry doesn’t recover from his numerous injuries.

Forwards

Two names have been coming up as of recently : Djibril Cissé and Louis Saha. Both have reasons to hope : regulars Karim Benzema and André-Pierre Gignac are injured. It is likely that one of those two will get called up for at least the Spain game and maybe for the World Cup, despite Domenech’s infatuation for the Toulouse striker and stupid decisions.

Cissé, now playing for Panathinaïkos, has scored 18 goals in 22 games for the Athens-based team, and is the top scorer of the Greek League. Domenech sent of his assistants to his most recent European game where he scored another goal. He has voiced his desire to be back in the consideration for the team and is animated with a huge desire to take his revenge over fate and destiny. After breaking his leg in a preparation match before WC06, he was then left at home for Euro 08, Domenech preferring Bafétimbi Gomis. Since France only plays with one striker, Cissé fits the profile, and knows the team and its players very well.

Louis Saha is also having a great season for Everton, scoring 13 goals in a league that’s unforgiving for strikers. He’s impressed Domenech and has also confessed his hopes of being back. He is playing at his best level at the age of 31, which also means that 2010 is his last chance to take part in an international competition. He’s been flying off the radar for some time, but there has been a media pull for him, and barring injuries, I’m liking his chances. He is used to play in a lone striker formation with the Toffees, and can bring his quickness and slick touches and finishing to the FNT.

Domenech will announce the 23 for Spain at 3PM GMT+1 ; look for an analysis of the squad later on here.

Filed under: French National Team