Let’s Check Out the Hopefuls

February 23rd, 2007 | by: Laurie |

I have a file in my computer’s “France Football” filing cabinet labeled “Hopefuls.” It’s where I keep all of the articles about the players who are still anxiously awaiting their first cap for the national team.

The France team at the moment might seem pretty static. Not a lot of important changes since World Cup. No new players on the original list for France-Argentina. (There were two — Mathieu Flamini and Julien Rodriguez — called up when Domenech saw the extent of the injury list, but neither of them saw playing time.)

That can’t be the case forever, though. Thuram is 35, Coupet and Makelele are 34. Sylvain Wiltord is 32, Vieira’s 30, Sagnol turns 30 mext month, Henry and Trezeguet are 29…

Did anybody else just get a little chill?

So who’s next? Who’s going to replace these guys? (Yes, that thought makes me sniffle, but if we’ve survived losing Zidane… Well after that nothing’s hard, right?)

The new French football blog L’Equipe Moustache just did a post on this issue naming some of France’s up-and-comers. Complete with YouTube videos. (Love that!) So be sure to check out their post, The Yoann Gourcuff Generation to see the faces we may be looking at in the future.

P.S. Speaking of hopefuls, can anybody tell me what’s up with Lyon’s Karim Benzema? I adore this kid — so sweet and level-headed — and it’s like he’s dropped off the face of the earth. Injured, then back for two days and reinjured, then reported to be back in training and then nothing! The only time I see his name is when he’s in the middle of Lyon’s weekly injury list. What’s going on with him?

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Inara

Benzema and Wiltord are on the list of players for the game against Sochaux this weekend. They were supposed to play in the CFAs, but Houllier decided that there was no time because he needs all his attackers fit before the return leg against Roma.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Thanks, Inara. That’s good news!! I’m assuming Setanta will show Lyon-Roma for the second leg because they didn’t show it for the first leg, and I am SO looking forward to this one. I’d like to see Abidal take somebody out for those racist comments (and get away with it.)

Did I just say that?
sandrahn

My number one player that Domenech has thus far ignored and who I think MUST be on the French squad is the incredible Gael Clichy, a brilliant defender (currently at Arsenal). Well, I also think Giuly should absolutely be there too but that won’t happen. And I guess I’m out of the loop – what racist comment are you referring to that was thrown at Abidal?
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Sandra, here are a couple of articles about the post-game controversies:

First article

Second Article

I was less than impressed with Roma after this game!
sandrahn

oh yes, I’d heard about these complaints re the Roma team’s conduct (this does not surprise me, having seen this on a weekly basis while living in Italy) – I hadn’t known about the allegations of racial insults, tho – again, not surprising – nice to see some of them apologized at least