Comments on: France Call-Ups for the June Euro Qualifiers

By: supersebgrimaldi

supersebgrimaldi — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:24:16 +0000

Salut, this is my first post here, as school’s been tough, but I think you all are doing a terrific job. Anyway, I, too, am none too happy about the non-selection of Trez/Mexès/Evra. Perhaps le Raymond has something against guys who got further in the CL than OL did? (not in Trez’s case, obviously)

Though I do see the “apparent” logic in selecting Bacary (I think it is) Sagna. Such as was the case with L.Diarra/Nasri/Benzema/Diaby, he has a dual nationality, and would have been eligible, I believe, to play for Senegal. Considering that Sagnol is no young pup, and that there isn’t an apparent successor at right back (well, Clerc, perhaps, though I’m certainly not very convinced), Domenech may be trying to ascertain that he’ll have Bacary if he’s needed.

Though I agree with Inara. I would prefer Chimbonda over Sagna. And I also don’t get why Govou is omnipresent on the squad lists. His wearing the #10 jersey against Lithuania made me miss Zidane more than I already do.

And finally, why were both Toulalan and A.Diarra selected when Houllier already picked one over the other at OL? Ah, too many questions, as always.

Though it appears that Shevchenko is out for the Ukraine match.

For those in the States, happy Memorial Day weekend. Great job again on the blog.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 24 May 2007 21:14:01 +0000

I feel the youth is looking good, guys like Ribery,Nasri,BenZema (I think that how you spell it) is what FRANCE NEEDED can you imagime with Henry and Anelka, my god that fire power, I really beleive with their full squad available and the new talent they are going to be really though to beat

By: sandrahn

sandrahn — Thu, 24 May 2007 20:55:44 +0000

Agreed completely about Evra’s absence, Laurie. And I really don’t get this attachment with Diarra. I just don’t rate him.

By: Inara

Inara — Thu, 24 May 2007 18:09:09 +0000

You know, I think Domenech does have a soft spot for Alou. I remember he made him a starter for the Greece match, despite the fact that he had barely played at that point. Domenech also has a soft spot for Govou, because he clearly sees something the rest of us don’t (and so does Houllier, oddly enough. Maybe we’re missing something?).

I personally wasn’t thrilled to see Sagna. He’s not bad, probably one of Auxerre’s best players, but there are better French RBs than him. Chimbonda for one, though I don’t know how he’s doing at the moment. My theory is that Domenech wanted to pick at least one guy from Auxerre since the match will be there. And since there is no room for Pedretti in midfield or Kaboul in CB, he went with Sagna.

But speaking honestly, I think Reveillere (who’s been capped before) is far better and more experience. Frankly, I think he’s better than Clerc sometimes. But I guess Domenech can’t pick two guys from the same team for the same position.

Also, Briand is great. He’s terrific for the U21s, and I’d happily trade Baros to Rennes for Briand.

BTW, have you noticed that the French NT’s average age has dropped by nearly a decade since the WC?