France national team : what would you change?

[ZZ10]

I think it is about time to make some (painful) decisions :
Lizarazu and Desailly must step down and make room for Silvestre, Mexes & Boumsong. Sagnol should play against Malta & Israel (replacing Thuram)
Maybe Petit must make room for Pedretti (and Luccin?)
Also I still do not understand why Malbranque has not been given a try : he is the only possible replacement for Zizou if he is injured.

Barthez/Sagnol/Mexes/Gallas/Silvestre/Viera/Pedreti/Zidane/Pires/Henry/Cisse

[SportBoy321]

I like that lineup. I agree that Lizarazu,Desailly,Petit need to go away.

[tpmazembe]

ZZ10, I think your line-up is too radical of a change. Despite Zizou's obvious talents, the French success of the past years has been due to a solid defense. Your suggesting starting a completely new back four!!!!

I say Barthez, Lizarazu, Mexes (or Gallas), Thuram, Candela..then your mid and forwards.

Wholesale defensive changes rarely work out well in the short-term...sure they will gel by next WC, but are you willing to risk Euro '04?

[n00bie deluxe]

Two words:

Steed Malbranque

Zizou can't last forever and it's better they start the transition now than when Euro 2004 or WC qualifying comes around.

[spidey100]

Originally posted by ZZ10
I think it is about time to make some (painful) decisions :
Lizarazu and Desailly must step down and make room for Silvestre, Mexes & Boumsong. Sagnol should play against Malta & Israel (replacing Thuram)
Maybe Petit must make room for Pedretti (and Luccin?)
Also I still do not understand why Malbranque has not been given a try : he is the only possible replacement for Zizou if he is injured.

Barthez/Sagnol/Mexes/Gallas/Silvestre/Viera/Pedreti/Zidane/Pires/Henry/Cisse


Instead of Pedretti, i´ll give another chance to Lamouchi.

In defense, i´d rather one player with experience; i´ll choose Thuram with Gallas.

Surpringly for many, i´ll leave Henry on the bench (not very good and useful in national team these last months) and put Trezeguet with Cissé.

As substitutes, i´ll choose Giuly, Govou, Henry, Mexès, Boumsong, Pedretti or Dacourt and Coupet or Landreau.

[harambestars17]

I disagree: keep desaily and lizarazu. Petit can come out and make way for Steve Marlet

[spidey100]

Originally posted by harambestars17
I disagree: keep desaily and lizarazu. Petit can come out and make way for Steve Marlet

Desailly : he´s too slow now
Lizarazu : same

Petit : better put a defensive like Makelele or Dacourt; otherwise Viera will be the only one. He´s good but he remains a human being.

[harambestars17]

I think it should be:
Barthez, Lizarazu, Christaval, Desailly, Gallas, Wiltord, Vieria, Pires, Henry, Cisse, Trezeguet. 4-3-3

[ZZ10]

Originally posted by harambestars17
I think it should be:
Barthez, Lizarazu, Christaval, Desailly, Gallas, Wiltord, Vieria, Pires, Henry, Cisse, Trezeguet. 4-3-3

Christanval ??? you must be joking !! I see at least 6 central defensers who have the edge on him (Desailly, Thuram, Boumsong, Mexes, Gallas, Sommeil) and there must be others !!

[Tony the French]

I like Bixente Lizarazu, but i think he's too old now !!
We must to think about the futur of the team.

[spidey100]

Originally posted by Tony the French
I like Bixente Lizarazu, but i think he's too old now !!
We must to think about the futur of the team.

Candela or Silvestre could take the post.

[harambestars17]

I think Mexes and Boumsong should start in the center of defence: Barthez, Lizarazu,Mexes,Boumsong,Thuram,Pires,Vieria,Marlet,Wiltord,Henry,Trezeguet

[Tony the French]

Originally posted by harambestars17
I think Mexes and Boumsong should start in the center of defence: Barthez, Lizarazu,Mexes,Boumsong,Thuram,Pires,Vieria,Marlet,Wiltord,Henry,Trezeguet

errr... what about the best player of the world ?!?

ZINEDINE ZIDANE !!!!

[Merengue]

Originally posted by harambestars17
I think Mexes and Boumsong should start in the center of defence: Barthez, Lizarazu,Mexes,Boumsong,Thuram,Pires,Vieria,Marlet,Wiltord,Henry,Trezeguet

As Tony said, what about Zidane?

I think Lizarazu and Desailly (and Petit too) will stick around through Euro 2004 then they'll make way for younger players. If I were France's coach here's who I'd use: Barthez; Thuram, Gallas, Desailly, Lizarazu; Makelele, Viera, Pires, Zidane; Trezeguet, Henry.

That's a team which will challenge for Euro 2004.

[harambestars17]

Zizou is good but give other people a chance to show there potential.

[jamison]

Originally posted by harambestars17
Zizou is good but give other people a chance to show there potential.

I would agree for lesser friendlies and the like, but no one's potential is going to exceed Zidane current abilities.

If the game at all matters, he has to play. With him on one side of central midfield and Pires on the other, Vieria behind in support, you have 3 of the best players on the planet, and arguably the best core midfield around. You can throw in flankers if you want, but there is no displacing those 3 at current. They are too good.

[bigshow]

What about Luyindula of Lyon? What are his chances of making the team for Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006?

[harambestars17]

the defense is good the way it is but the mid needs some help: Lizarazu,Boumsong, Mexes,Thuram,Wiltord,Zizou,Carriere,Pires,Henry, Trezeguet.

[ZZ10]

Originally posted by harambestars17
the defense is good the way it is but the mid needs some help: Lizarazu,Boumsong, Mexes,Thuram,Wiltord,Zizou,Carriere,Pires,Henry, Trezeguet.

No defensive midfielders ?? Where are Viera/Petit/Makelele/Pedreti ?

[Papa Bouba Diop]

I would be more interested in a National team with at least 1/3 of the starters playing for French clubs. I get so exited when guys like Rothen, Carriere, Govou, Cisse, Mexes, Pedretti, Boumsong or Giuly play.