Menez! Clichy! Mandanda! Boumsong?!? The New List is Out!!

First thing I did was to scroll down to the attackers, and yes, as Jean-Michel said, that’s a very clear message to Trez! No mistake here.

Yes that narrows the thing down a bit, but still who plays in A or A’…I think in there are some fabulous combinations possible, mindboggling as always. Which is the right one?

Would you believe I was in such a hurry that I missed the fact that Trezeguet wasn’t on the list?

Wow.

Yes there are some nice combinations. Good for Cisse. I’m happy he’s being considered again even if it will be A’ stuff for now.

I’m not sorry to see Trez dropped off. He’s a talented player to be sure, but his attitude needs a major makeover. Domenech has every right to demand humility and obedience from his players, no matter what their achievements are, because at the end of the day, he’s the coach. Saying things like you don’t think the A’ team is good enough for you is unworthy of any player aspiring to represent France.

Someone at the BS forum said it best that even if Domenech doesn’t take Trez to the Euros, and France lose, will people say that France sucked because Domenech only took along Henry, Benzema, Anelka, and perhaps Cisse?

Also, I would have preferred to see Hugo Lloris instead of Steve Mandanda. Mandanda had a great season with Marseille and got some CL experience, but Lloris has been playing in the French top flight for three years whereas this is Mandanda’s first. The only reason Nice was relegated the last two years was because of Lloris. Honestly, Lloris > Mandanda.

It just goes to show that playing for a high profile team is what matters at the end of the day. But that’s okay. Once Lyon buy Lloris, things will be the way they should be.

*the reason Nice wasn’t relegated…

Inara, it’s just a few hours until the transfer window and I’ve been on the Guardian page refreshing every few minutes. They just published a horrible rumour about Man U trying to get Benzema for $20 mil. I hope this is just a rumour — I want Benzema & Ben Arfa to stay at Lyon.

Pfft. That will never happen. First off, 20m pounds isn’t enough to even make Aulas listen. Also, Lyon won’t sell their best player to a team they’ll be playing in three weeks.

Anyway, Benzema is about to extend his contract to Lyon, tying him to the club until 2013-2014.

No one is above the team and for that main reason I have to agree with you Inara. No matter what beef is going on between them, everyone has got to know their respective roles.

Oh that’s right, MU are playing v. Lyon in a couple of weeks! PLEASE, Perrin, protect your home ground and refuse MU a victory!!!

Benzema’s cup-tied anyway, so that wouldn’t be the issue. But the EPL definitely would be.

Does anybody have a link for the “I won’t play in A’” article?

Trezeguet’s interview: http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20080127_115851Dev.html

Domenech responds here: http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/30012008/1/domenech-tient-compte-de-ce-que-ressent-trezeguet-mais-a.html

and here: http://www.lefigaro.fr/sport/2008/01/31/02001-20080131ARTFIG00564-domenech-tout-est-possible.php

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20080127_115851Dev.html

sounding full of himself in this one.

Thanks, guys. I’ll probably write a post on this tomorrow, both here and for the Offside main page.

Domenech’s press conference today still leaves the window open for David in the final Euro selection. I think Domenech’s mind screwing him though. Dancing around the question like the apt politician he can be to keep him in suspense. He defends him almost in his “I won’t play in A’” position by saying he does not need to “test” Trez out on that level. “He knows what he is capable of”. I think we all know Domenech is capable of another snub in a few months.

those of you criticizing Trezeguet’s language in the interview should remember that Domenech is an expert at making people he doesnt like bitter and angry. Pires and Giuly also spoke in the same way about the French National team and not because they have no respect for it but because Domenech knew exactly how to puch their buttons to the point where they were so mad they started saying stupid shit.

Hugo Lloris has also been called up!!! That makes 37 players on the list!

Also, what Pires and Trez have to say in response to Ray:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080201_105229Dev.html

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080201_100518Dev.html

I knew if I waited long enough to write a post on Trezeguet you guys would do all my research for me.

wow. Trezeguet seems so resigned to his fate, and Pires still seems bitter. Now we just need to hear from Giuly.