Domenech Releases France Squad

By: Corey | March 20th, 2008

Ohhh boy, here is Ray Ray’s new squad list, all the possible player he will evaluate to take to the EURO this summer, because late season form does not seem to matter to much to him. Curious choices include leaving David Trezeguet out yet again, which looks likely to continue past the EURO, and the inclusion of 4 new faces. Congratulations to Matheiu Bodmer (yes!), Matheiu Valbuena (yes!), Matheiu Delpierre (who?) and Adil Rami (hmmm). All have good seasons, although Delpierre remains a curious choice given some of the center backs in Ligue 1 who are playing well (Pascal Berenguer of Nancy comes to mind). Here is the full squad:

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Mickael Landreau (Paris St Germain), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille).

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Olympique Lyon), Francois Clerc (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyon), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Gael Givet (Olympique Marseille), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Mathieu Delpierre (VfB Stuttgart), Adil Rami (Lille), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona).

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Olympique Marseille), Jerome Rothen (Paris St Germain), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan), Mathieu Bodmer (Olympique Lyon), Rio Mavuba (Lille).

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyon), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Jimmy Briand (Stade Rennes), Djibril Cisse (Olympique Marseille), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Louis Saha (Manchester United), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

This list stinks of Lyon, whether it be current of former players, Domenech not hiding his bias towards the team he played for. But with that being said, you cannot argue with most of the players he called up. Saha is out of form and oft injured but with no Trez it seems logical, while Anelka is yet to score at Chelsea and Malouda has yet to play his best there. Henry to is a little out of form at Barca, so does this mean a chance for Benzema to stake a starting role or Briand and Cisses to stake a definitive claim to a squad number for the EURO?

In midfield, Bodmers inclusion is a welcome relief, his abilities will be welcomed as most France fans agree the Toulalan-Makelele/Viera double pivot is a tad boring, and Bodmer can bring some creativity to the middle of the pitch. Robery (hehe see what I did there), Malouda, Nasri, Ben Arfa, Govou, Valbuena and Rothen are the width of the team, my guess is Valbuena and Rothen wont make the final squad unfortunately. Diarra 1 and 2 are interchangable almost, while Mavuba and Flamini seem long shots for the final squad with Le Toule, Viera and Makelele there. No Abou Diaby…thats a shame.

Defence hasnt changed, I dont expect Rami to go to the EURO but a first cap will be good, one for the future. Delpierre I dont expect anything from, our strength at the back is impressive. Givet, Clichy and Boum Boum will do well to not get cut as well, while the Sagna-Clerc battle for right back always intrigues. Likewise with Abidal-Evra, and the two starting center backs, who appear to be Thuram and Gallas, but I cry out for Toto Squillaci or Mexes to replace the senioritis of Thuram.

Keepers are keepers, Mandana should make the final squad over Landreau, he hasnt been impressive this year. No Hugo Lloris unfortunately, we will have to wait for WC 2010 to see his star shine. What does everyone think of this squad?

Also, props to L’Union Sportive Jeanne d’Arc Carquefou for there win over Marseille in the Coupe de France. Check Sams post out on the latest scores from the cup. Later.