The French national team stealed the start by announcing who the players will bring to the 2022 World Cup. Yes, France became the first world champion country from Europe to announce the team to be brought to Qatar. While Germany, Spain and England may still be looking for the perfect day.
There are 25 names of players who were brought by Coach Didier Deschamps to strengthen France in an effort to defend the title at the 2022 World Cup. Deschamp did decide to only bring 25 players. Although, each team of the 2022 World Cup contestants may bring a maximum of 26 players. Launching from SkySports, it is easy to say that France in the 2022 World Cup has a luxurious squad.
Because, almost all the players who brought Deschamps are not foreign names in the ears of football lovers in Indonesia. They all played at top clubs in Spain, England, Italy, France and Germany. The details are three goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders and seven attackers. Interestingly, only 11 players are alumni of the 2018 world champion French team. This means that Deschamps brings several players who will only appear in the World Cup. Just like in the 2018 World Cup, the attack line will be France’s main strength in Qatar later. Deschamps brought seven typical attacking players who all have a scary reputation when they are in the penalty box.
The seven strikers for the French national team for the 2022 World Cup are Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) and Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) who are alumni of the 2018 World Cup. Then Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) is back in the team after missing the World Cup four years ago. As well as two debutants, Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) and Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).
Previously, this might only be imagined in the virtual world of Football Manager, there is a team that has seven horrific attackers in one team. But, the French got it in the real world. Deschamps really get the luxury up front by having seven attackers who complement each other with their respective abilities. Kylian Mbappe with his running speed and goal instinct, Benzema with his experience and finishing ability, Giroud with his heading advantages and fighting spirit, and Ousmane Dembele with his ball skills and crosses.
Deschamps just has to choose which one matches the playing scheme and the opponent to be faced. While in defense, Deschamps brought four defenders who took part in bringing France to victory at the 2018 World Cup. Namely Lucas Hernandes and Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, then Presnel Kimpembe from Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
The last name had suffered an injury last month while playing in the Premier League. But, it looks like Varane can recover in time so he’s still being brought in. The rest, Deschamps brought three debutant defenders. Namely Arsenal defender William Saliba, AC Milan captain Theo Hernandez, and Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool. They will be the protectors of the French goal, which is escorted by the team captain, Hugo Lloris.
However, despite having the luxury on the front lines, France looks ‘as is’ in midfield. The French midfield is in the spotlight. Deschamps only brought six players. He did not bring two experienced midfielders Paul Pogba (Juventus) and N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) who are still injured. Of course the absence of Pogba and Kanre is a loss for France. Because, both played a big role when France became world champion in 2018.
As a replacement, Deschamps will rely on the young midfielder duo who play at Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Both are plotted as the driving force of the French midfield. The other four midfielders that Deschamps brought were the Marseille midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout, as well as Adrien Rabiot (Juventus) and Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco).
The six names of the French midfielders are mostly working midfielders. Not a midfielder with a fantastic skill ability which in Italian is called a fantasista. And indeed, France now don’t have the typical ‘number 10’ player who has the cool skills and brilliant attacking vision they once had Youri Djorkaeff, Robert Pires and of course Zinedine Zidane.
Although, in fact the six midfielders will not be a problem for France. Because, Deschamps has been playing more often with a 4-2-3-1 scheme which only requires two defensive midfielders. The rest are three attacking players, two of whom are wingers and centre-forwards. At the 2022 World Cup, France are in Group D with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia. Karim Benzema et al will face Australia in the first match on 22 next November.
On paper, France with the players that Deschamps brought, should be able to qualify for the round of 16. However, there is the curse of the reigning champion at the World Cup. That is when referring to the fate experienced by Italy at the 2010 World Cup, Spain at the 2014 World Cup and Germany at the 2018 World Cup. They came with the status of defending champions but were immediately eliminated in the group phase.
France also experienced it at the 2002 World Cup. Coming as the defending champion, France, which was hit by internal team friction, immediately left after becoming caretaker of Group A. Although, the curse did not apply to Brazil in the 2006 World Cup, which advanced to the quarter-finals before being stopped by France through a masterpiece from Zinedine Zidane.
Could France be cursed at the 2022 World Cup? When referring to the competition in Group D which on paper is fairly easy, France should have no trouble finishing in the top two to qualify for the knockout round of the last 16. If Bang Haji Rhoma Irama said, it would be too much if France failed to qualify from this group.
ASL
