Which Strikers Give Us the Best Options for France?

January 27th, 2008 | by: Laurie |

Djibril Cisse has scored five goals in two games, moving himself up to sixth among Ligue 1’s top scorers after a miserable start to the season.

Nicolas Anelka just switched teams, and notched his first goal for Chelsea today. (Here’s the goal. Watch quickly, becuase these things never stay up for much more than a day. Heaven forbid they might make somebody more interested in the EPL.) That makes eleven in the EPL this year.

Karim Benzema is top scorer in Ligue 1 with 14 goals. And that’s just in League play.

David Trezeguet is tied for top scorer in Serie A with 13, but hasn’t found his form for France in the past couple of years. .

Thierry Henry isn’t having his best season, but he has scored six La Liga goals. And how would you leave out France’s all-time top scorer, even if you wanted to?

Raymond Domenech has some tough choices to make.

One probable loser is the injury-prone Louis Saha. He’s been out most of the season and doesn’t even make the EPL top 40 goal scorers for the season. If he’s fit, I’m guessing he’ll play in the February A’ game.

But who will play with him? My bet would be on Cisse. Two sizzling games aren’t quite enough to say he’s turned the corner. But if he keeps this up through the rest of the season, there may be some tough competition in the striker role.

Trezeguet, as always, is another question mark. Why can he deliver so well for Juventus, but not for France? I don’t watch Serie A games as a matter of principle (life is too short, sue me) so maybe somebody can tell me: Is Trezeguet playing in a style that’s compatible with France’s? And more importantly, is there a role for a straight goal poacher in the team’s current makeup? (When he played against Scotland, there was nobody delivering the ball in front of the goal, which is kind of a necessity for a poacher.) And if not, is Trezeguet capable of adapting his style of play?

And last but not least, do we have any other breakout strikers waiting in the wings behind Benzema?

What do you think?

(Thanks for the discussion in the comments of the last post. This topic is becoming more interesting by the week.)

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Patrick

Trezeguet has been actively participating more with Juventus this year. He puts a lot of pressure on the opposition’s defenders and goes on the wing to try help out Juve’s mediocre mid-field. But forcing Trezeguet to go on the wing is such a waste of his talents. I just hope that Domenech gives Trezeguet one more chance before Euro 2008.
Jean-Michel

Italian fans consider Trezeguet a top goal scoring threat as he can score from virtually any position in the six yard box. I think Juve knows this and play more to his strength and serve him constantly the ball which Trezeguet (when he’s in top form like he is now) can adapt to the service and produce. Domenech has tried to play this way (Scotland with Trez)but the midfield was incapable of delivering quality crosses (I think France’s biggest issue midfield wise).Domenech knows now they cannot and selects strikers and wingers that can create situations for themselves instead of depending on a long ball from a back or midfielder (I miss Sagnol for this main reason). Trez was also the lone striker which I think is more of a disadvantage for him. He’s at his best in a two striker formation. I think there should be less pressure on Trezeguet and more on the midfield who’s job it is to serve a freakin’ ball forward from time to time with some sort of accuracy.
http://theoffside.com Laurie

Jean-Michel, I agree with you completely about the midfield. I think that was why Rothen was brought in. But the most recent game he played in (Morocco? Ukraine) he kind of sucked. I hope it was a temporary thing.

I miss Sagnol too!
http://lequipemoustache.blogspot.com Kyle

I agree with you guys 100% with regards to service from the midfield and defense, for so long that has been a massive issue. i.e. Argentina, Ukraine, Scotland… I think that it is a major reason why there is no need for Trezeguet, as we seem to be much more productive going straight at defenses because we can’t cross effectively. In terms of strikers I think it will be Henry, Anelka and Benzema with a 4th to be named later. Anelka’s goal shows his versatility, he has the poaching skills of Trez but he also has pace and dribbling skills that have never been Trez’s strong suit. Benzema is playing out of his mind, and Henry is well Henry, the defenses must respect him, or he will destroy them.

Can’t wait for the England/Spain games, it’s been so long…time to press the old Zizou jersey.

@+
Doumé

Laurie, J-Michel,
I’m with you guys for Willy Sagnol. By the way, would he play in A’?

So, what about Trez working with Anelka? As far as compatibility, that’s the only thing I can think of. But I do like Henry. Trez, anyway, just said an A’ selection “wouldn’t correspond to his ambitions” and he “doesn’t see the use of it”. (http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080127_115851Dev.html)

Speaking of French strikers, in yesterday’s game, the Wigan (beautiful)goal was scored by Antoine Sibierski, a very intriguing and bitter figure, but talented guy. Look at this interview – http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2247213,00.html
I don’t think Domenech will invite him any time soon! I’d say, give him a try in A’ to see his baffled reaction!
MB

did anyone catch the Juve-Livorno game today? Trezeguet scored a brace, the second of which was a real beauty…even though my opinion may be slightly biased (because I am a huge Trezeguet fan), I feel that his goalscoring form should at least merit a place on the squad for Euro 2008, even if he is not starting.
http://ghana.worldcupblog.org Inara

Benzema scored today as well! From a free kick at the 92nd minute when Lyon were one down.

Oh Rayray, such an embarrassment of choices!
Patrick

Trezeguet was great today. It was fun to see him as captain when Del Piero was subbed off.
sandrahn

All of these strikers are great (not so sure about Cisse, tho) — the problem is how to use them in the NT. Right now I think Henry, Benzema and Anelka are the best choices. Except I doubt that Anelka and Henry can work well together. Too bad about Saha.

Henry’s form at Barca has been actually mixed, not consistently poor as so many pundits and fans have said. He’s provided some great assists and has worked damned hard. He’s scored a few nice goals too. His longterm problem, tho, is that he’s got sciatica. And you never fully recover from that. He’ll never be the same player again.

Had to watch the Etienne – Lyon derby of course! Poor St. Etienne, my heart goes out to them! I thought FINALLY they’d get a win, making a 2nd shock result in two local derbies in European football (the first being Arsenal being horribly thrashed v. Spurs on their home ground, thank goodness it wasn’t at Ashburton Grove, aka the Emirates!). But it wasn’t to be. I do like Lyon very much but the football gods have been brutal to St. Etienne.

AND WHEN WILL WE SEE THE RETURN OF SAGNOL FFS!!!
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

I think I may have read a feed that said Sagnol played this weekend. I’ll check and get back.
Erin

Sagnol’s been playing the first half of Bayern’s friendlies. Hitzfeld switches out half the side for the second.