FRANCE NAME SQUAD FOR FRIENDLIES AND WC QUALIFIER

The French national team has named the squad that would prosecute friendly games against Paraguay and England and their important clash against Sweden in a World Cup qualifier.


Coach Didier Deschamps named Alphonse Areole of PSG, Benot Costil of Rennes and Spurs top choice Hugo Lloris in goal. Lloris is the favourite to start after an impressive run for his club in the Premier League.

AS Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy make the defenders’ list alongside Kurt Zouma of Chelsea, Christophe Jallet of Lyon, and Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona. Recovering centre defender for Real Madrid Raphael Varane was included in defence, as with Presnel Kimpembe of PSG and Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal. Lucas Digne of Barcelona and Djibril Sidibe of Monaco were also named.

In the middle, PFA Player of the Year and France Player of the Year N’Golo Kante was named. World transfer record holder Paul Pogba would line up alongside Corentin Tolisso of Lyon, Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham, and PSG duo of Adrien Rabiot and Blaise Matuidi. more

Didier Deschamps has termed Germany as the best team in the world.

For this reason, he claims that France have to be at their very best in order to overcome the reigning world champions in the Euro 2016 semifinals.


After a comfortable win over Iceland, France have set up a mouthwatering semi-final with Germany. The winner of the tie could go on and face either Wales or Portugal in the final of the competition. Against Iceland, there was little doubt of a victory after France managed to set up a 4-0 advantage going into halftime.

Even though Iceland threatened to spark a comeback with an early second-half goal fromSigþórsson, it was nothing more than a consolation along with the late goal fromBjarnason. It was a commendable effort and a fairytale from Iceland to at least reach the quarter-finals of the Euro 2016. However, the focus now shifts on the real top teams with France and Germany taking on each other. France are heavily backed as the home team while Germany have the World Cup medal still bleeding confidence into their hearts. Germany, however, have been far from convincing in the tournament and this has been a criticism of manager Joachim Loew.

Deschamps has tried to receive the underdogs tag by claiming that Germany are the best team in the world.”I am delighted for the players as they deserve this, and for these fans who have been behind us for months.To be able to offer them something to make them smile and feel happy and have another week in it. I’m delighted about that.We are into the last week and I’m very happy about that. Germany are the best team. There is no doubt about that even if they had a few frights against Italy, who stopped them playing,” said Deschamps.