Gourcuff’s Fancy Footwork

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

keep up the good work, destined for greatness

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.

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.

@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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

sims
ribery for anelka

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.

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

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

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

http://www.soccershop.com

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.”

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.

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

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.