France call-ups to face Germany – Euro 2012 is creeping up on us – Mexes is back

February 25th, 2012 | by: jeff | Comments Off

A match against Germany should be enough to spark the lads (les gars) into life, even if it is a friendly.

Mexes is back, although playing against Juventus today, he was on the right side of the central defense. He’s gone right back into the AC Milan first 11 after injury, which is encouraging. Blanc is counting on him:

“Philippe is a lad who I count on enormously. He has a different skill-set to other defenders.”

That’s as big of an endorsement as a player could hope for from the national team manager – and Mexes was an ever-present before his injury – so his place in the team is hardly in question. The one player who was emerging to challenge for his spot was Koscielny of Arsenal, and he has a potential injury concern of his own right now, so things look to be falling into place for Mexes. We need a star in defense, and he fits the profile.

Here’s the full list for the friendly on Wednesday away to Germany:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Mamadou Sakho (Paris St Germain)

Midfielders: Morgan Amalfitano (Marseille), Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yann M’Vila (Stade Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards: Kevin Gameiro (PSG), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (PSG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Louis Saha (Tottenham Hotspur)

Olympique Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano has been called up by France for the first time. Louis Saha is back – Benzema and Loic Remy are out injured.

Jeremy Mathieu and Maxime Gonalons have been left out after being in the last squad. Mathieu Valbuena has returned.

Blanc said that Mexes, Lloris, and Abidal are candidates to be captain.

France have been drawn to face England, Ukraine and Sweden in Euro 2012. Ukraine is co-host with Poland. The match with England should be good fun.

How have folks been enjoying their club football? It’s been a chore for me, almost. Not really, of course, but I could use some France goodness to put the beautiful back in the beautiful game.

At least in Cabaye and M’Vila, we have two capable midfielders in reasonably good form. That’s a platform a lot of sides would envy.

Here’s a potential first 11:

Gameiro
Ribery Nasri Menez
M’Vila Cabaye
Abidal Mexes Rami Debuchy
Lloris

Sagna’s been left out. He’s just coming back from injury. Clichy has long since been out of favor.

This is a big test for Gameiro – whether he’ll get a start, and if he does, whether he’ll deliver. The jury is still out on the PSG striker – he looks like he can score goals – can he be an all-around performer?

A match against Germany is just good fun. Imagine winning big at their place.

Come on you Blues (Allez les Bleus).