World

Europe

France

Gourcuff’s Fancy Footwork

October 19th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 20 Comments »

There was some talk after the Tunisia game about Gourcuff’s attempts — not always successful — to utilize Zidane-like footwork so he could really claim the role of “New Zidane” for himself.

Perhaps practice makes perfect? Because on Saturday against Toulouse he made it work. Said Yoann:

“When the ball arrived at my feet, I had two real options; to pass the ball laterally or backward,” Gourcuff explained, “But I saw this other solution… The opponents did not think I would try that. I would not have thought about it either, it was more instinct! It was fast – they had no time to react.”

Methinks Yoann is lucky to be back in Ligue 1.

Tags: Euro 2008

France World Cup RSS Feed

Comments

By Jennifer | October 19th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

Methinks we’re luckier to have him
I am eternally grateful for this gift, Milan, no matter how much I hate you.

By gaston | October 19th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

keep up the good work, destined for greatness

Posted from United States

By Inara | October 19th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

The funny thing is that Gourcuff has always been so talented. His wasted two years at Milan were a real setback, and had he gone to a club where he had played more frequently, he’d be even better than he is now. I expect him to become an automatic starter for Les Bleus by the end of this year.

Posted from United States

By Jean-Michel | October 19th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Gourcuff is on loan from Milan. What are their rights to him after the season is over? Where do you guys see him make the most of next season? Surely, he can walk on to most average to above average clubs and have a starting place. A shame at the Milan stint but maybe he aimed too high there. I think ligue 1 is good for now but he should evolve somewhere else after this season is done.

Posted from United States

By jamie | October 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am

@inara

he can’t really be automatic starter by the end of the year since france maybe only have one more game? (or none?)
but also he’s basically automatic already which is lovely

really domenech juhst needs to look at the defense – its that which is letting us down now! total opposite to before

Posted from United Kingdom

By Jean Pierre | October 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

aha he kicked bigheaded Nasri from the “new-zidane” throne:D
why does france midfield be so great while defence suck so much
here is the “new zidane” doing a 360 zidane roulette but not successfull
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=67XRseVgnII&feature=related

Posted from Netherlands

By Jean-Michel | October 20th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

Its funny how one player makes a difference in the post Zidane era. It used to be that our midfield was a problem EVEN with Ribery in it. Defense was sturdy and the attack was average usually victim of poor service.

Posted from United States

By gaston | October 20th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

imo he has is better than nasri in NT, i never saw nasri as effective player, one who could influence the game plus the constant injuries, and the whole plan for the team fail, ben arfa can’t seem to cut it for the NT, i see him as 3rd option,

what sets apart gourcuff from other french midfield (currently) is skill, vision of the field, effectiveness and DESIRE to win, the guy is thirsty for victory and scoring which makes him amazing to watch

Posted from United States

By sandrahn | October 21st, 2008 at 11:02 am

I think it says something about Milan that they weren’t able or willing to allow a talented young attacking midfielder have the freedom to develop his skills. So many good players have their skills suffocated because the managers and clubs they’re at have no clue how to use them. Look at what Felipao has done with Malouda — last season he was trashed as crap by English pundits, Chelsea fans and English football fans in general. Now we’re seeing the real Malouda. Gourcuff is really exciting to watch, I hope he goes on to have a brilliant season with Bordeaux and the NT.

As to Jeff’s blog….I’ve begun to feel exactly as you have. It’s incredibly frustrating to see such a wonderful bunch of players so badly used. I’m trying to find straws to grab at — wasn’t there a new, younger guy hired (name escapes me) as asst. to Domenech, he serves as a liaison between the manager and the players? Wasn’t he the guy the players all ran to to celebrate the goals in the Tunisia and Romania games? Maybe he can help improve things? As for Nasri, well you guys may trash him but he’s been fantastic at Arsenal. He’s wiped out all memories of Hleb, scoring more goals in a handful of games than Hleb did all season long. He reminds us gooners of Pires.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am

I’m trying to find straws to grab at — wasn’t there a new, younger guy hired (name escapes me) as asst. to Domenech, he serves as a liaison between the manager and the players?

Yes, it was Alain Boghossian, from the 1998 WC team. I think he was also brought in to deflect some of the criticism from the other 1998 players.

And yes, he was the one all of the players ran to. Made me smile. I think the boys needed some warm fuzzies.

I also agree so much about Scolari — he’s been good for not just Malouda but for Anelka as well.

Posted from United States

By sims | October 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm

What about a trident of Benzema, Henry, Anelka, fed by Gourcuff with Toulalan and Flamini tending the back .

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | October 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm

sims
ribery for anelka

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 am

Sadly, I have to agree that Ribery is greater than Anelka. But aside from that I could work with it.

Now if we can just figure out a central defense.

Also, what did everybody think of Fanni in the Tunisia game? I thought he showed promise, although right now I wish we could move some of our leftback talent over to the right.

Posted from United States

By Jean Pierre | October 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm

fanni is not bad but not good enough france is a weird team atm
we got loads of midfielders, nasri toulalan flamini ribery gourcuff ben arfa govou malouda

but we got 0 really consistent defenders
and if titi and anelka retires we only got 1 attacker big benzema

Posted from Netherlands

By Jean-Michel | October 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm

there are plenty more attackers. domenech will just not give them a chance and already has his favorites.

Posted from United States

By wishihadahummer | October 25th, 2008 at 7:29 am

Ego. The downfall of a lot of “greats”.

http://www.soccershop.com

By Doumé | October 26th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Well, not really on topic, but…
Check out this interview from the great Platini (in English):
-This man can save English football-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/26/england-football-platini

“The French League exports players, which means that it can have success at a national level. Although my own opinion is that French football has become too technical, and that is why they are not too successful at the moment. They work hard at Clairefontaine but football is not just about work. Also … I think many young French players are too interested in money in England than football in France.”

By Jeff/433 | October 27th, 2008 at 9:43 am

About Nasri, he has been doing really well at Arsenal at left midfield. He rarely loses the ball, and he often has a little bit of skill to create openings around the box, plus he’s scored a few goals.

Another Arsenal player who could force his way back into the national team is Diaby. At times he looks like a footballing genius, full of incredible trickery. He’s never performed near his best at Arsenal for a sustained period, but if he does, he would be one more fantastic attacking option for France.

Posted from United States

By Jean Pierre | October 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

cool interview i agree with platini, especially that bit that you quoted. i think he is talking about nasri lol

and ye nasri is great but we got very much attacking midfielders now, i dont think nasri can play because of ribery and gourcuff and that malouda gang bang

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | November 3rd, 2008 at 7:36 am

France should consider replacing Henry with Anelka. Despite the fact that Henry has been doing well as of late playing for the NT, he is not playing well for Barca. Anelka, on the other hand, is one of the top scorers in the Prem, and France certainly needs someone to score goals right now.

Comments are closed