[BenP]

Although this tournament is still going on, and France could well still qualify for the the 16 - and perhaps go further with luck and so forth - it is clear that subsequent will not - and probably should not - feature a good number of the players on the current squad.

For the European qualifiers and such, when I think France needs a new coach and a new injection of players. And they should stick with them, even if things go poorly in qualifiers.

Firstly, it seems to me that Domenech should go. We know Zidane is retiring. Wiltord, Thuram, and Makelele have also are likely playing some of their last games for France. But who else will be going? Dhirasoo seems a likely candidate. Barthez as well.

But who to bring in? A lot of the controversy in the current tournament revolves around the non-inclusion of players - like Anelka and Giuly - who aren't exactly new or young. France does have a lot of promising young players - however, most seem to be defenders and midfielders. For example, Lasana Diarra at Chelsea, Matthieu Flamini at Arsenal, Francois Clerc at Lyon, maybe Ben Arfa or Benzema at OL as well. I don't know the French league that well, but it strikes me that the France is deeper at the back and in midfield than upfront, with a cursory knowledge of young players outside the team. Then again, Cisse is still quite young - but his injuries raise serious concerns. Maybe Henry will still be in great shape. I think he might be. But he isn't going to want to keep playing for a side coached like this one.

Anyway, I'd be interested in the thoughts on these questions from people who are closer observers of French football than I have been.

[ribery57]

Mathieu Bodmer, and Toulalan are good defensive midfielders.

As a goalkeeper i would choose Yohann Pelé or Bracigliano. Maybe Landreau will be given his chance.

I would pick Mexès who was great this season with the Roma, and maybe Faty and Clerc.

[ilv2]

don't forget frey, although i haven't followed him in a while

sinima-pongolle is a good talent at 'pool right now, and he had a great loan spell at blackburn (setting up 6-7 goals I believe)

There's loads of talent there, but I'm not sure if bringing them all out for the Euros would be a good idea. The midfield however, is definately getting a major overhaul.

[BenP]

Originally Posted by ilv2

don't forget frey, although i haven't followed him in a while

sinima-pongolle is a good talent at 'pool right now, and he had a great loan spell at blackburn (setting up 6-7 goals I believe)

There's loads of talent there, but I'm not sure if bringing them all out for the Euros would be a good idea. The midfield however, is definately getting a major overhaul.

Interesting about S-P. I saw him play - on TV - for Liverpool in '04-05 and he looked good. However, he seems to be languishing a bit there because of all the signings at forward they've made. Might be good for him to get transfered to a slightly lower EPL side?

BTW, what about LaTellec? It strikes me he will have a good, unspectatuclar career in La Championnat with the odd cap for France, but nothing more.

[BenP]

What about Benzema or Ben Arfa? Have any OL fans seen them play consistently? Might they choose Tunisia/Algeria?

[SportBoy333]

Ronald Zubar who just signed for Marseille from Caen is someone else that deserves mentioning.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Well we have Pongolle, Pagis and Le Tallac upfront who can possibly develop in to some class talent.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Originally Posted by BenP

What about Benzema or Ben Arfa? Have any OL fans seen them play consistently? Might they choose Tunisia/Algeria?

I doubt it if France comes calling.

[SportBoy333]

Yoann Gourcuff is a great talent.

[Metropolitan]

We are in a strong group for the Euro qualifying round. If I remember correctly, only the two first are qualified and we play against Italy, Ukraine and Scotland.

I wouldn't consider the Euro as an objective for our team. We need to rebuild something, and if we fail to qualify because our players are not used yet to play together, than that would be sad but so be it. The objective is the World Cup 2010. That means that we need a real coach who would lead the French team during 4 years straight... Something which have never happened since Lemerre.

There are many people who could do a nice job : Le Guen, Houiller, Deschamps, or even Wenger even if I don't expect him to accept that job.

As for the players, well, it all depends how they evolve, but personally I would keep Abidal and Malouda on the left wing, Ribéry and Sagnol on the right wing, and I would give a chance to Saha upfront. I'm not even sure I would actually keep Henry, as he's 28 currently and will be 32 for next World Cup. The team should learn early to play together. That means 4 years before the World Cup.