Oh Franck Ribéry…

I tend not to be especially concerned by off-pitch matters. On the pitch, I like Ribery a lot, so I'd like to see him.

And honestly, the off-the-pitch matters, to the extent that I do follow them, just don't concern me that much. I'll take some stone throwing myself – I like the guy.

until recently ribery was not a problem, his performance on the pitch cannot be replaced, he was the reason we had enough point to actually make it to the playoff round, we do have some young guns comming up but none can trully match his skill and performance, i did however lose alot of respect for him and and really don't like him anymore for being part of one of the litle b**tch of the world cup but his good, but when someone does come up to replace him lets take it.

There are also other options at left-wing, such as Malouda or Menez (maybe Nzogbia too), so Ribery is not irreplaceable.

I think Ribery is a player who can't be the star of the team. He needs someone there to keep him humble and prevent him from getting a big head. In 06, we were all so focused on Zidane, and ribery was a side note. So he knew he wasn't going to be the big star and kept working hard to get there.

Now he is the star, so he thinks he can relax, sit back, and call the shots himself. Unfortunately, it has done nothing but cause unrest thus far. Hopefully blanc can get him to shut up, keep his head down, and work. We know he's a great player, and he can avoid the scandals, but he needs to focus.

This will not change my perception on Ribery. He's an extremely talented player, but he's just not that good in attitude for Les Bleus. One of the reasons why he kept being selected is in part due to the fact that he was one of few remnant of 2006 success. So, he was expected to carry on the lead, but somehow he flopped way too heavily in South Africa.

IMHO, Yoann Gourcuff, Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa all can do much better than him in such young ages. Maybe it was only due to lack of self-confidence (Gourcuff) and limited international experiences (Nasri-Ben Arfa-Menez) that prevents them from doing much than Ribery.

Thus, Ribery is never irreplaceable in France team. But still Ribery is a talented winger who can play at any top flight club in this world.

Ribery strikes me as someone who can be great on the field, but a cancer to the team off of it. I would rather not have more over-blown egos on this team than what we have already in its governing body: The FFF. Originally, I was ecstatic to hear Blanc would be their coach. Now, I don't think Jesus Christ (with Charlemagne and Moses as assistants) could bring this team back to respectability. Honestly, could this team POSSIBLY have more going against it, short of an outright French footballer strike?

you prefer shit player like nzogbia over ribery?

Did you not notice the names “Malouda” and “Menez” before “MAYBE nzogbia”….

In my view, he is one of France's best players, but over-rated by the press (and, more important, over-rated in his own mind). He always tries to dribble past 4 defenders. He's not good enough to do that (only Messi is). France's best option on the left (and best player in general) is and has always been Malouda. Ribery should either agree to play on the right (as he did in WC 2006) or sit on the bench. I think he still has an impt role to play as long as he accepts his own limitations and plays as a team-player.

As for the off-field distractions, it is clear that Ribery is not very bright. But that doesn't bother me. So he committed adultery with an under-age call girl? So what. Kobe Bryant did worse, and no one ever talks about it when he drops 60 points on the Knicks. In any case, Ribery probably won't do that again. Also, it seems he has probably been chastened by the South Africa debacle. He apologized for his behavior, and he is probably sincere.

I think Blanc will be able to reign in Ribery. Blanc has the authority that Domenech never had. Ribery should not be ruled out.

and by the way, the author of Riebry's 2006 WC was really Vieira, who made a perfectly weighted pass to Ribery. France has plenty of pacy wingers who could've scored that goal. What France needs is a Vieira-type CM with the subtle first touch and skill to pull off that kind of through-ball.

ya sorry, but you could of mention better players like griezmann and tabanou.

his a player who needs to be kept in his place otherwise he will go around like a wild bull. 06 was the golden generation so he couldnt shit, now his the only so he thinks he owns the place

Yes, plus Malouda has been ridiculous recently, definitely France's best player right now. I just don't know how long it will last though. I think that Ribery definitely has serious competition.

Right, he needs someone to put him in his place, the only problem is who can do it now? I would say the coach and not a player. If anyone can shut him up it's Blanc.

If the story about how he behaved toward Gourcuff is true, then I don't want him on the national team. Esp. after his blatant and transparent attempt to feign total ignorance about the strike at the press conference the day after the strike had been decided the previous night (a decision he was very much a part of). He offered fake apologies and pretense that he knew absolutely nothing about it. I love him as a player, I've enjoyed watching him at Bayern since he joined that club, and also at Marseille (and in Germany 06). But his personality is cancerous.