Let’s Talk About Trezeguet

The question is, if Trezeguet had been called up, what would have happened? Even before the list came out, he said he wasn’t interested in playing for the A’ squad. Should Domenech have called him up anyway, knowing full well that the A’ team was the only place Trez could play, and knowing that Trez would refuse to do so?

Domemech can’t have four strikers on the A team in a friendly, especially when he’s also relying on Ribery, Malouda, Ben Arfa, and Rothen. That’s a lot of attackers for only four spots. What other striker could Domenech have dropped? Anelka, Benzema, Henry? Those players have just as much right to be on the A team. Now you can say Benzema is a kid, but Domenech previously said that the reason he preferred Benzema was that Benzema can play in multiple positions.

But let’s say Trez answered the call up. People would still blame Domemench for putting him on the A’ team. And if he had been on the A team, they would blame him for giving Trez only 10 minutes.

So just what is the solution? I don’t see it. As long as his production is low for the NT, he can’t be anything but fourth choice. And if France’s other strikers can fit into Domenech’s current 4-4-2, then it doesn’t make sense for him to change his formation to accommodate a single player.

Laurie, You are the master English-language blogger on Les Bleus. Your output is tremendous, and you have great commenters. I have revamped my blogging: the now defunct Arsenal et Les Bleus has given way to http://www.wickeddeflection.com/. I was inspired to make the change, in part by both this site and Kyle L’American’s L’equipe Moustache. This site has France covered inside-out, so there’s no void needing filling there, and Kyle’s group blog seems like a lot of fun, so I’ve gone into WickedDeflection.com with a few friends; a broader-based discussion than Arsenal et Les Bleus (although that’s still what I write about). My friend who posts about Liverpool, Sixes and Sevens, is extremely anxious that not enough people are commenting on his posts, so if anyone is a Liverpool supporter, please write a book in the comments to his posts.

Trezeguet is an enigma. In his last outings with France, I think he’s been poor. In my hyperbolic style, I compared his effort against Scotland to the corner flag.

Laurie, I know you and your readers join me in celebrating Clichy’s call up: fully deserved, his clanger today not withstanding.

If you watch the last France-Scotland match, you’ll see the Trezeguet wasn’t poor. He simply lacked service. All throughout the match, I saw him going out of position trying to get involved with the team. He gave a great backheel to Ribery, who managed to not score. Malouda, Abidal, Ribery, and Diarra delivered no good crosses during that entire match. I know that unless Trezeguet scores, it’s not a good match for him, but give him a break!

This issue of lacking service is the heart of the problem. The team were struggling to break through against Scotland, and Trezeguet couldn’t impose his will on the game. Benzema, when he came on, was at an entirely different level: able to create things himself, a live wire.

Still, it would be brilliant for Trezeguet to find his best form, and lead France to victory at Euro 2008, scoring goals in every game. Surely everyone is supportive of this scenario.

Patrick, no one blames Trezeguet for Scotland (well, at least I don’t). But Trez is one of those players who can only play well when those around him play well. The difference between him and Anelka, Henry, and Benzema is that they can create goals themselves – they don’t need someone else to set it up for them. I’ve seen Benzema pick up the ball so many times deep within his own half and then create beautiful offensive movements for other players to pick up on. Trezeguet doesn’t do that.

The more I think about, it the more it seems insane that someone of that quality should stay out of the team. I mean, even Titi Henry has tremendous respect for Trez. I think untill 2000, the teams facing France were not stonewalling as much as they later did. Now, except against Spain or Brazil, France lately had to face very often 9-men defenses. So players of his type are a lot more uncomfortable surrounded by 4 guys. One of his problems for me is that he shows too much his frustration at getting bad service or after a miss. You see that face of him too often IMO.
I still think he might come in handy, even psychologically. I thought it might have been a very daring coup to send him in against Italy (WC 06) when Vieira got hurt around the 60th minute, even if some adjustments would have had to be done. I think it would be good message, to send against Italy the guy who scores “on them” week after week, and dominates their league.
Let’s remember, it’s a long road to June! This is not a final list, and I do hope personally that Raymond will think about that psychological aspect against Italy, and will include in the final cut Trezeguet – and Chabal, of course. Just in case you need’em.

if u look at anelka and henry they fight for the ball, they defend as well as attack trezegoal just seats and waist and this why he will never be called

Terry USA, do you actually watch Trezeguet in Serie A? If you did you wouold see that this year, he pressures defenders much more than he did in any previous years. It’s misinformation that Trezeguet just sits around and waits for opportunities.

Off topic but Domenech announced the players on his A and A’ team:

Les A face à l’Espagne : Coupet, Landreau – Sagnol, Clerc, Thuram, Gallas, Escudé, Abidal, Evra – Toulalan, Makelele, L. Diarra, Vieira (cap) – Govou, Anelka, Henry, Benzema, Malouda, Ben Arfa.

Les A’ face à la RD Congo : Lloris, Mandanda – Sagna, Boumsong, Squillaci, Mexes, Givet, Clichy – Flamini, A. Diarra, Nasri, Diaby, Rothen – Briand, Cissé, Ménez.

Just found the same thing, Inara. They’re sitting in my buffer waiting to pasted into a new post. Thanks!