France

France are exactly where Spain used to be several years ago – many talented players but no leaders and identity in their play. Is this World Cup going to be a watershed moment for them?

Formations are not merely numbers

World Cup is important, by from French perspective, Euro 2016, which they’ll host, is of much bigger value. France plans to win it, just as they won the 1998 World Cup on home soil. New generation of players coming through the team will enter their peak years in two years time. But even now they have enough quality to be listed among the favorites.

Didier Deschamps for a long time used 4-2-3-1 as his main formation but after play-off game against Ukraine, which France lost 0-2, he ditched it and favoured 4-3-3, which looked more suitable for his team.

Laurent Blanc’s approach at PSG helped Deschamps a bit. The Parisians also utilise a 4-3-3 formation and since January, their midfield also features French internationals. Yohan Cabaye doesn’t have a lot of playing time in PSG but training alongside Blaise Matuidi certainly helped him. Both will be complemented with Paul Pogba’s enormous skillset.

Defence issues

Midfield looks very solid, but there are questions about other positions, particulary about the defence. Raphael Varane last season was said to be a great defender but this year his form disappeared and he lost a place in defensive duo alongside Sergio Ramos to Pepe. He had an average year but not only is he going to the World Cup, he also features in Deschamps’ plans in starting XI.

He will be partnered by Laurent Koscielny, who had a great year with Arsenal and showed great defensive skills and most importantly – composure and experience. On the right France will use most likely Mathieu Debuchy of Newcastle, who is not as flashy in the Premier League as he did for Lille before.

There’s a problem with the left flank though. Patrice Evra was called up and looks likely to start games, but Evra’s problems lie with his defensive abilities – he is naturally a wing back although he played for a long time as a full back. Deschamps might also give a chance of playing to Lucas Digne of PSG, but he only played 15 games in Ligue 1 this season – Blanc prefers Maxwell.

Leadership in question

Changing the formation to 4-3-3 made Samir Nasri’s inclusion dispensable – Mathieu Valbuena is a number 10 that doesn’t exist in this formation but is a player that doesn’t make such problems in the dressing room as Manchester City’s midfielder.

Deschamps looks likely to give the three attacking spots for Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann. All had a good season, especially the last one, who showed both defensive and offensive qualities, playing on the left wing in Real Sociedad.

France also has great bench players, but they first and foremost lack leaders in the squad. For a long time main problems with that team has been their dressing room issues. There was never someone, who will naturally control his teammates. Creating a leader for Euro 2016 might be the key aim during this World Cup.

Playing style

France plays a technical, possession based football, utilising a 4-3-3 formation with two wingers cutting inside. They have a solid, physical midfield, and might be tempted to play on the counter in latter stages.

Coach

Didier Deschamps was a captain of the team that won the 1998 World Cup. In 2004, he guided Monaco to a Champions League final. He was also a coach of championship-winning Marseille in 2010 and finished second in 2011. Since 2012 he works with French national team.

Schedule and BETEGY suggestions

15th June, Porto Alegre: vs. Honduras (2-0)

20th June, Salvador: vs. Switzerland (1-0)

25th June, Rio de Janeiro: vs. Ecuador (1-0)

Nine points and a confident first place finish – that is the most likely outcome of France’s group stage games. They have a 93% chance of advancing to the knockout stages. They will then meet Bosnia in Round of 16 and win 2-1. In quarter-finals though they will lose to Germany 1-2.