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France Supporters: Play Nasri and Evra

June 6th, 2008 | By: jeff | 11 Comments »

Can Raymond Domenech be bothered to update his first 11 for Euro 2008?

Some vocal France Supporters think Domenech might bottle his team selection by not picking the best players available.

Malouda and Abidal are reliable, versatile players, ready when called upon, but Evra and Nasri inspire a bit more confidence among supporters that they can produce at international level, on the big Euro-2008 stage.

The case of Evra is a particular no-brainer. Anyone who has been watching Evra play for Manchester United during their back-to-back title-winning seasons knows that it would be hard to find a better left back anywhere, and Abidal is certainly not inspiring anywhere near the same degree of confidence among supporters who have watched both of them play recently.

Nasri’s case is a hampered a bit by his club’s form. While Evra has been running riot, terrorizing opponents in England and Europe, winning the coveted league and Champions League double, Nasri’s Marseille have been up and down. But several France supporters who have carefully observed the performances of Nasri and Malouda for France since the 2006 World Cup dream of seeing Nasri in the first 11 for the big show, with Malouda available to come on in support - especially in his unique role as a holding left midfielder. You want that, sometimes, you want a left midfielder who sits deep, and offers protection for the left back, especially if it’s Abidal and he’s looking shaky.

What of this case that Malouda and Abidal have a brilliant understanding? Based on watching them play together for France, I’d classify their having played together at club level in the past as a net minus. They mimic each other in playing really reserved and saving their energy.

Nasri captures the imagination with his clever touches, plus, he could be in the Arsenal squad for next season, and he’ll want to be in the first 11 for France if he wants to increase his chances at Arsenal. Hand on heart, I think Nasri offers more to the side than Malouda, going forward and overall, but especially going forward which is key when you have two holding midfielders in the middle. Plus Nasri likes to play centrally, while Ribery, Henry, and Benzema all like the left channel.

From where I sit, it looks like like an easy decision.

Still, I’m left a little anxious by the lingering question: Does Domenech know what he’s doing? We’ll be finding out soon.

If Domenech persists with Malouda and Abidal, that puts more pressure on the central midfielder playing next to Makalele to push forward and help with offense, but none of the options there look like a sure thing. Better would be to let Toulalan play with less pressure to adapt to an attacking role, because the word going around is that he’s a defensive central midfielder at heart.

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Comments

By Inara | June 6th, 2008 at 11:21 am

I agree that Evra is immense for United, but I’ve never really been that impressed with him when he has played for France. It could be that it’s a different team and that he’s not as familiar with the players and therefore his positioning, but I don’t know if this tournament is the time to experiment, not when we are already changing the midfield and the attack.

Plus Domenech always tells his fullbacks to stay back - Evra’s best attribute is that he’s such an offensive threat, and Domenech seems to prefer more defensive players in that position.

By sandrahn | June 6th, 2008 at 11:35 am

Good piece, Jeff. Can’t add much to it because I completely agree.

Posted from United States

By Inara | June 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Also, I meant to add that I would love to see Nasri start - Given the way Malouda has been playing, his position could be sacrificed.

By lefutur | June 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Its a good argument but I can’t see it happening. Domenech likes to stay with his time proven formations and starting 11’s. Malouda-Abidal got him to the WC finals in 2006 so it will take a lot to prove to him the there is a better option.

Posted from United States

By Aditya | June 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

I agree with you completely Jeff. And Inara has a good answer as to why he doesn’t pick Evra.

Posted from United States

By Julien | June 6th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

to be honest i am not a fan of Malouda NOR Nasri… Malouda is too dependant on his left foot and can barely pass with his right, hense why he can only play left… Nasri is strong with both feet but tries too much to be flashy, and wildly inconsistent with his finishing. I think the fame this past season has gotten to his head…

I desperately wish they picked Valbuena (Giuly 2.0)… can play both sides and I think had a better season than nasri at OM.

Posted from United States

By Julien | June 6th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

and regarding the idea that dromenech prefers more defensive fullbacks… Sagnol is one of the most attacking right backs in the game now (remember that supoerbe cross for Zidane in the final?)… that said I think Abidal is a more complete football player than Evra, who can leave that left side exposed from pushing too much… Joe Cole exploited that side way more due to that in the CL final.

Posted from United States

By Aditya | June 6th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Another thing I just remembered, France is not playing in EPL where people don’t care about defense but in Euros where it is as important to have a tight defense as it is to have a potent attack.

Posted from United States

By Benjamin | June 6th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

to solve the problems about malouda being shit in offense,
we should ask make to move up LOLOLOLOL.
i want nasri to start, him + benz + ribery are best friends
so the chemistry would be great.

By Foreverzidane | June 8th, 2008 at 10:41 am

Who ever he picks is fine with me except that I hope he won’t have a lone striker. Not a big fan of Toulalan but let’s give him a chance to prove me wrong. Allez Les Bleus!

By Seb | June 8th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

Toulalan has been out of position during the friendlies, but he’s coming off a tremendous season. Even though I abhor the defensive mentality of the Domenech system, I would start Toulalan when we kick off against Romania.

Comments are closed