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

May 8th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 7 Comments »

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)

Tags: Eric Abidal, Euro 2008, Gael Clichy, Julien Escudé, Patrice Evra, polls

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Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted from United States

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

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