France seems off track to win the World Cup in Qatar
Some elements on the probable difficulties of the French team to be able to defend its title of world champion?
The attack, the least problematic
So of course, Group D is affordable for the team of Didier Deschamps. Australia, Denmark and Tunisia are not top in the world and, grabbing at least second place in the group should be possible. In attack, they have the stratospheric Kylian Mbappé capable of magical flights that few players in the world can achieve. Will also be present the very likely next golden ball Karim Benzema often irreproachable in his club Real Madrid. But, at 34, he could still find it difficult to manage the repetition of matches in this kind of competition. Kingsley Coman, Christopher Nkunku and, why not, Olivier Giroud will surely be on the trip, they too deserve it. In fact, the big question mark of this French attack will be Antoine Griezmann. In lack of playing time since his return to Athletico Madrid, the "little prince", third best scorer of the blues tied with Michel Platini, displays a distressing level. The 2018 world champion has not scored with his national team for 7 months!
The midfield, the disaster!
Let's talk about the medium now. Paul Pogba will not go, he will not be recovered from his knee surgery. The marabouts couldn't do anything. It's done. And when we know the importance of this player for the French team on the field and in the locker room, this is very, very bad news. So there remains a midfielder with a glaring lack of experience made up of Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni. Adrien Rabiot and his mother may also come to join the party. Because yes, and very unfortunately, one of the pillars of the midfield of the 2018 world champion team, Ngolo Kanté has a very worrying physical condition. The sword of Damocles of injuries hangs over the French selection. Especially in these strategic positions, but annoyingly, also on defense.
Defence, doubt?
A defense in the middle of a construction site. Indeed, Didier Deschamps still does not seem to have chosen between a defense at 3 or 4. The many injuries do not make his task easier... Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, the brothers Lucas and Théo Hernandez as well that Jules Koundé are part of it. Benjamin Pavard is ghostly. Only Lucas Digne, who has shown his reliability for years, looks convincing on the left. On the right, Jonathan Clauss is in good shape and seems to be progressing with each gathering of the blues. But will that be enough for this defense which was the great French force during the 2022 World Cup? Probably not…
Goalkeepers, no big surprise
No surprise for the goalkeepers. A Hugo Lloris, aging captain number one goalkeeper and a Mike Maignan who has taken a step forward since his arrival in Milan in the 2021 offseason as substitute goalkeeper. Alphonse Aréola will most certainly be the third goalkeeper selected.
In conclusion
So much for this French team, world champions who seem very feverish to have the ambition to defend their title against teams such as Brazil, the Argentina, Spain, but also England and Germany which we must always be wary of.
Undoubtedly the last campaign of Didier Deschamps as coach of the blues, running out of ideas and whose cat, his favorite pet, has gone for a long walk...
Odds for the victory of the French team at the 2022 World Cup: 7 against 1