News, Videos, Opinion, Fan Blogs, Fixtures & Results for die-hard French fans
France international Alexandre Lacazette believes he can play alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Arsenal frontline despite initial doubts whether the pair can work together. Aubameyang arrived at the Emirates from Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window, and his arrival coincided with Lacazette’s demotion to the substitutes’ bench.
France international Olivier Giroud has spoken about his ambition of winning the Premier League with Chelsea after failing to do during his five-and-a-half year stay with Arsenal. The 31-year-old came as a relatively unknown to England back in the summer of 2012, but he has since built up a reputation of being a handy goalscorer, having broken the 100-goal mark for the Gunners earlier this term.
Speaking to SFR Sport, Giroud admitted that he is disappointed to have not won the league with Arsene Wenger’s side, but he is still hopeful of relieving his dream with Chelsea next season, he said: “I don’t know if we can really call it a regret but I have a little feeling of unfinished business because I would really have liked to have won the Premier League with Arsenal.
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Olivier Giroud has revealed that France coach Didier Deschamps urged him to leave Arsenal during the recently concluded transfer window. The 31-year-old joined Premier League champions Chelsea last month after the Gunners accepted an £18m sum for his services.
In an exclusive from Telefoot, Giroud admitted that he took the opinion of Deschamps prior to his proposed exit from the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, the Frenchman also admitted that he had received interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and AS Roma, but his choice was clear to join Chelsea after talks with Antonio Conte, he said: “A week before the end of the transfer window, I needed to hear his (Deschamps’) opinion.
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Karim Benzema has not played for France in just over two years and it appears his international career is over but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas believes there is still a chance he can get his place back.
He is firmly of the opinion that French boss Didier Deschamps should bring the Real Madrid striker back to the fold as he would bring a new dimension to the team.
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France are set to host England in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Stade de France Stadium.
This would be the first start for the 31-year old Heaton – though he would now play all four divisions for the country. Ahead of the game, he said the ambition to play for the national team never left him after several club experiences at Manchester United, Cardiff, Queen Park Rangers, Bristol City and others.
The Scots scored two late efforts against their rivals in the World Cup qualifier so the former Manchester City keeper would play no part in the friendly, Gareth Southgate confirmed. However, Southgate insisted that it was never his intention to play Hart from the onset.
The manager refused to blame Hart for conceding the goals against their opponents at Hampden Park. Two strikes from Leigh Griffiths beat Hart, who played full 90 minutes.
“They were great free kicks. Beyond that, coaching conversations I have with players stay private,” Southgate replied when asked his feelings about the goals. He added that the team could have done better in so many areas. more
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.
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
Former Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has accused the fans of Bastia of racism.
“Yesterday the result against Bastia was right…we will work more and try to get our objective..the referee was good too but I have a question for French people…Is it normal that Bastia supporters make monkey noise and ‘uh uh’ for the whole game and no one of the ‘commissions discipline’ say nothing?,” Balotelli posted.
“So racism is LEGAL in France? Or only in Bastia? Football is an amazing sport..those people like Bastia supporters make it horrible,” he added. more
France national team boss Didier Deschamps claims that he is not surprised by the success Zinedine Zidane has achieved since taking over at Real Madrid just over a year ago.
After achieving incredible success as a player,it was clear that Zidane was being groomed to become a future Real Madrid manager. However, the time came in abrupt circumstances when Rafa Benitez was sacked midway through last season. Rather than look outside for a coach, Madrid adopted the philosophy of Barcelona and brought in Zidane is the replacement. It has been a great move by Florentino Perez, as it has yielded the club their 11 European cup amongst other trophies. more
Philippe Lamboley does not appreciate the Red Devils management for handing over the shirt number of Anthony Martial to the newcomer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
According to Lamboley that it was the number Martial had put on the previous season and it had proved to be great for him. So, he would have wanted to go with it again. The sources say that the club did not even ask Martial if he was okay with Zlatan taking his shirt number or not. more
An incredible long-range strike from Paul Pogba led France to a 1-0 win over Netherlands in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam.
France have now recorded three straight wins over the Dutch for the first time in their history.
“Paul is capable of and must perform better” Deschamps said after Pogba’s last international outing which he absolutely delivered for the team with his accurately launched rocket-kick. Laurent Koscielny took a square ball from Dimitri Payet while Pogba received the ball from him and aimed for the target under a little pressure.
The kick had a lot of power, Stekelenburg couldn’t handle the ball as it slipped beyond him while he dived to his right. The Everton goalkeeper had been stronger when keeping out Kevin Gameiro’s stinging drive in the early exchanges, as France consistently caused Netherlands problems on the counter.
Netherlands without the sidelined Wesley Sneijder, had their attacking options reduced especially when the injured Quincy Promes had to be substituted after just 15 minutes of playing. more