dot   Home     World     Europe     France  
Flag France

France

France Pre-Euro Poll: Who Should Our Backup Leftback Be?

Welcome to the first of our daily polls for you to tell us who you think should make up the team for France in Euro 2008. Please stop by each day to cast your vote in a new poll.

We all know that, barring catastrophe, Eric Abidal will be France’s first choice at leftback, right? But who do you think should be backing him up?

In the past almost two years, during Euro qualifying, I’m remembering these three other players getting trials at leftback. If I’ve forgotten anyone, leave your favorite in the “Other” section.

Poll: Who Should France’s Backup Leftback Be?
( polls)

Subscribe

 

rss icon France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Print

Share

Comments
By jeff | May 8th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Top

I am troubled by the premise that Abidal is a lock at left back. If Domenech is to put in a really stellar performance, then no one is a lock, and he’ll pick the best side regardless of who he has the habit of picking.

1st choice – Evra
2nd choice – Clichy

Those two are so good, Ray might want to consider starting both of them, one at left back and one at left midfield. Ray’s not actually brain dead, is he? That’s just a caricature people paint of him, right? Malouda isn’t a lock at left midfield if there are better options available, is he?

By Seb | May 8th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Top

An interesting tidbit I think is that Evra actually started out as an attacker. It’s too bad none of the 3 (Abidal, Evra, Clichy) has any experience at right back, as that could certainly come in handy.

By Inara | May 8th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Top

If things get really dire at right back, Domenech could play himself. That was his position from his playing days.

By Yaz | May 9th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Top

I like Evra very much, but I must admit that his “head play” is not so good. And we know that the most important weakness of the French Team is defending from free kicks and corners.

By Laurie | May 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Top

Seb, Evra has played rightback at Manchester United at least once — that ManU over Roma blowout in Champions League. He even scored a goal! I also found myself wishing he’d develop that.

But it would be a waste of a great left foot.

Although it’s probably even more of a waste to have that on the bench. Although Yaz, you’re absolutely right — he is a little to small to be good with his head. That’s one area Abidal wins out.

Also, just read yesterday (or maybe the day before) that Escude’s probably out — he’s give up on league play and gone back to France for treatment on a groin injury.

Posted from United States United States

By Laurie | May 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Top

And Inara, the visual made me smile. I’d particularly like to see him play against Itally. :-)

Posted from United States United States

By Seb | May 9th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Top

That’s a good point, Laurie. I’m not entirely certain, but I think when Evra actually first came up as a Nice player, he was able to go down both wings, though alas, that was only in an attacking capacity.

Although I’m not concerned about his height. Yes, he’s 1m70-1m75, around that, but I’ve seen him outjump taller EPL strikers (Sagna is much the same, I think he has a tremendous leap/vertical) while obviously anyone who’s been watching the Champions League would realize that he’s a very, very good defender now. Nevertheless, I do think Abidal will and should get the nod at his favored position since he hasn’t done anything to lose it.

Comments are closed

 
 
 

MORE EUROPE BLOGS

france
France World Cup Blog
810 articles | 10,726 comments
 
croatia
Croatia World Cup Blog
197 articles | 1,839 comments
 
czechrepublic
Czech Republic World Cup Blog
196 articles | 320 comments
 
england
England Football World Cup Team Blog
845 articles | 2,987 comments
 
germany
Germany World Cup Blog Blog
521 articles | 3,198 comments
 
italy
Italy World Cup Blog
598 articles | 22,832 comments
 
netherlands
Netherlands World Cup Blog
2,066 articles | 29,465 comments
 
poland
Poland World Cup Blog
366 articles | 4,559 comments
 
portugal
Portugal World Cup Blog
458 articles | 7,100 comments
 
serbia
Serbia World Cup Team Blog
170 articles | 877 comments
 
spain
Spain World Cup Blog
236 articles | 1,947 comments
 
sweden
Sweden World Cup Blog
151 articles | 318 comments
 
switzerland
Switzerland World Cup Blog
217 articles | 327 comments
 
ukraine
Ukraine World Cup Team Blog
120 articles | 807 comments
 
greece
Greece World Cup Blog
147 articles | 79 comments
 
russia
Russia World Cup Blog
81 articles | 159 comments
 
scotland
Scotland World Cup Team Blog
102 articles | 110 comments
 
ireland
Ireland World Cup Team Blog
57 articles | 124 comments
 
norway
Norway World Cup Team Blog
12 articles | 8 comments
 
turkey
Turkey World Cup Blog
40 articles | 296 comments
 
romania
Romania World Cup Blog
78 articles | 281 comments
 
austria
Austria World Cup Blog
111 articles | 117 comments
 
denmark
Denmark World Cup Team Blog
8 articles | 27 comments
 
albania
Albania World Cup Team Blog
4 articles | 8 comments
 
belgium
Belgium World Cup Team Blog
49 articles | 59 comments
 
wales
Wales World Cup Team Blog
61 articles | 17 comments
 
bosnia
Bosnia World Cup Team Blog
31 articles | 89 comments
 
israel
Israel World Cup Team Blog
22 articles | 18 comments
 
slovakia
Slovakia World Cup Team Blog
2 articles | 2 comments
 
slovenia
Slovenia World Cup Team Blog
1 articles | 1 comments
 

CATEGORIES & ARCHIVES

 
 
Closer