A call for hard work

Former France international Jean-Pierre Papin has been calling for specialist coaches to work with the country’s forwards. He’s quoted in an interview with L’Est-Republican as saying ‘I don’t think that strikers do enough work, I used to stay for 45 minutes after every training session to work at my shooting.’

France haven’t been that prolific in front of goal recently, only scoring 14 times in 10 qualifiers, but if you look at the talent they have you’ve got to say given the right service they will score a lot of goals.

Papin was unlucky to be caught in between the Platini and Zidane generations. He did play the first round games at the 1986 World Cup but France never qualified in ‘90 and ‘94, but his record of 34 goals in 54 internationals is excellent. Not sure if Raymond Domenech will be adding to his coaching staff to sharpen up Henry and Trezeguet.