Les Blues have a young and exciting group of players who can take the team all the way to glory in Russia.
Twenty years after winning their first and only World Cup, France has the team to challenge for the trophy once again. In Lloris, France has the experienced goalkeeper and a leader between the sticks. El Clasico rivals Varane and Umtiti will be the backbone of the team’s defense.
But it is France’s midfield and attack which will cause all sorts of trouble to the oppositions. With Kante, Pogba, and Lemar in the midfield and Griezmann, Mbappe and Fekir in the attack, Deschamps’s men can run through any defense.
Despite the star-studded line-up, the French team has a few players in the squad who are not rated highly by the fans and media but can make a difference in Russia.
Let us take a look at three most underrated players in the French team:
Oliver Giroud:
Oliver Giroud will be wearing the No. 9 jersey in Russia and is the second most capped player in the French team. Then why is he still underrated?
The kind of fire-power France has for the World Cup, no one is really expecting much from Giroud. With Griezmann and Mbappe expected to lead the attack, fans have forgotten what the Chelsea striker is capable of.
Giroud is one of the most experienced strikers these days and knows how the position himself in the opponent’s box. The striker’s ability to boss the aerial duels which will come in handy as the likes of Mbappe and Dembele will look to send crosses in the box. Giroud has made a name for himself for coming off the bench to score crucial goals – Something Didier Deschamps can definitely use in the World Cup. The 31-year old has also scored 30 goals for his national side so far, most by anyone in France’s squad traveling to Russia.
With all the hype around the youngsters in the team, Giroud’s experience will definitely be necessary for the team in search of their second World Cup.
Lucas Hernandez:
If you are a defender at Atletico Madrid, you are a special player. The Spaniards are renowned for their defensive expertise and this season, France’s Lucas Hernandez was a crucial part of their back-four.
The left-back is known for his tackling and has saved Atletico with the numerous last-ditch tackles this season. Lucas’s speed and dribbling allow him to get involved in the attacks, but he always stays alert to get back in time to defend.
The 22-year old can also play as the central defender if needed and France can defiantly use his versatile nature to the fullest. Lucas will have to fight for his place against Sidibe and Benjamin Mendy, given his inexperience for Les Blues. But after his season for Atletico, Lucas will be eager to continue his great form in Russia as well.
Florian Thauvin:
Which Frenchman has scored the most league goals this season? The answer is neither Griezmann nor Mbappe, it is Marseille’s Florian Thauvin who scored 22 goals and bagged 11 assists and he did it all playing as a winger.
The right-winger had a great season in Ligue 1 and will be itching to continue that in Russia. Didier Deschamps should have no problems picking him ahead of Dembele in the playing XI.
Thauvin can run the show in the right flank with his dribbling and his ability find the teammate in the scoring areas. The 25-year old is also known for his long-range shots and will look to make a difference with his skill set.
France truly has an incredible set of attackers in the squad, but with Thauvin starting the game or even coming off the bench, 1998 World Cup winners will be too hot to handle.
Author’s Take:
The players mentioned in this list will add defensive and attacking strength to the squad. The only question is, will Deschamps start them ahead of his star players?
Les Blues have a young and exciting group of players who can take the team all the way to glory in Russia.
Twenty years after winning their first and only World Cup, France has the team to challenge for the trophy once again. In Lloris, France has the experienced goalkeeper and a leader between the sticks. El Clasico rivals Varane and Umtiti will be the backbone of the team’s defense.
But it is France’s midfield and attack which will cause all sorts of trouble to the oppositions. With Kante, Pogba, and Lemar in the midfield and Griezmann, Mbappe and Fekir in the attack, Deschamps’s men can run through any defense.
Despite the star-studded line-up, the French team has a few players in the squad who are not rated highly by the fans and media but can make a difference in Russia.
Let us take a look at three most underrated players in the French team:
Oliver Giroud:
Oliver Giroud will be wearing the No. 9 jersey in Russia and is the second most capped player in the French team. Then why is he still underrated?
The kind of fire-power France has for the World Cup, no one is really expecting much from Giroud. With Griezmann and Mbappe expected to lead the attack, fans have forgotten what the Chelsea striker is capable of.
Giroud is one of the most experienced strikers these days and knows how the position himself in the opponent’s box. The striker’s ability to boss the aerial duels which will come in handy as the likes of Mbappe and Dembele will look to send crosses in the box. Giroud has made a name for himself for coming off the bench to score crucial goals – Something Didier Deschamps can definitely use in the World Cup. The 31-year old has also scored 30 goals for his national side so far, most by anyone in France’s squad traveling to Russia.
With all the hype around the youngsters in the team, Giroud’s experience will definitely be necessary for the team in search of their second World Cup.
Lucas Hernandez:
If you are a defender at Atletico Madrid, you are a special player. The Spaniards are renowned for their defensive expertise and this season, France’s Lucas Hernandez was a crucial part of their back-four.
The left-back is known for his tackling and has saved Atletico with the numerous last-ditch tackles this season. Lucas’s speed and dribbling allow him to get involved in the attacks, but he always stays alert to get back in time to defend.
The 22-year old can also play as the central defender if needed and France can defiantly use his versatile nature to the fullest. Lucas will have to fight for his place against Sidibe and Benjamin Mendy, given his inexperience for Les Blues. But after his season for Atletico, Lucas will be eager to continue his great form in Russia as well.
Florian Thauvin:
Which Frenchman has scored the most league goals this season? The answer is neither Griezmann nor Mbappe, it is Marseille’s Florian Thauvin who scored 22 goals and bagged 11 assists and he did it all playing as a winger.
The right-winger had a great season in Ligue 1 and will be itching to continue that in Russia. Didier Deschamps should have no problems picking him ahead of Dembele in the playing XI.
Thauvin can run the show in the right flank with his dribbling and his ability find the teammate in the scoring areas. The 25-year old is also known for his long-range shots and will look to make a difference with his skill set.
France truly has an incredible set of attackers in the squad, but with Thauvin starting the game or even coming off the bench, 1998 World Cup winners will be too hot to handle.
Author’s Take:
The players mentioned in this list will add defensive and attacking strength to the squad. The only question is, will Deschamps start them ahead of his star players?
