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France - Team Profile
30/03/2006
With a team full of world class player and household names one should expect 1998 Fifa World Cup winners France to have every chance of winning a second World Cup - though that's what everyone thought at the last tournament and they were dumped out after the group stage.
Better prepared this time round they were unbeaten in their qualifying group though did draw half of their games against teams they should have been beating with the quality they have to offer.
Fabian Bartez looks set to keep his place in goal possibly due to lack of competition. Their back four has a solid look about it apart from perhaps Jean-Alain Boumsong from Newcastle. Lilian Thuram is still the mainstay at the back and his experience will be vital to France's chances. Possible the most crucial player in defence will be Chelsea's William Gallas. As versatile as England's Jamie Carragher he can fill in any defensive position. Another who is sometimes overlooked because he can play a number of positions is Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre. Veteran Willy Sagnol of German side Bayern Munich is another alternative.
The midfield is dominated by two men in the twilight of their careers. Patrick Vieira and Zinédine Zidane. The former only played a minor role in France's 1998 World Cup victory whereas Zidane scored two headed goals in the final. Captain Zidane originally retired after a dismal Euro 2004 tournament, albeit hampered by injury, but was persuaded to change his mind and returned to the fold along with Lilian Thuram and Makélélé who announced similar international retirements. Indeed Claude Makélélé has been playing the best football of his career since joining Chelsea and will be looking to end his international career on a high. The French can also call upon Franck Ribery and former Liverpool player Alou Diarra in midfield.
Possibly at the peak of his footballing powers, Thierry Henry will lead the French line in the World Cup and if he plays well then France must have an excellent chance of picking up their second trophy. This season at Arsenal he has perhaps played the best football of his career. Ex-Arsenal team-mate Sylvain Wiltord has been in good form under new manager Gérard Houllier and his ability to play in midfield should make him an important squad member. David Trézéguet of Italian giants Juventus is another forward coach Raymond Domenech can call upon. Djibril Cissé has not been at his best for Liverpool this season but has been an integral member of the French squad for a number of years now. His pace can cause any defence problems and if he hits scoring form he could be an important asset for the national team.