FRANCE’S 2016 EURO CAMPAIGN LOOKING GOOD DESPITE BENZEMA’S SCANDAL

Les Blues go into the Euro this year as host of the continental championship. The star-studded team has A-list players plying tackles in the best teams of the world. The players are all vibrant and talented in their various positions.

Hugo Lloris is the first choice goal keeper and squad captain. The gifted goal keeper is also the first team choice for in-form Tottenham Hotspur FC. He has contributed significantly to their campaign this season with Spurs in second place in the English Premiership League. In defense is Bacary Sagna plying trade for Manchester City FC. Young talent, Raphael Varane playing for Real Madrid FC has won many laurels with the club including the UEFA Champions’ League. Varane is also in defense alongside Mamadou Sakho and former captain, Patrice Evra.

Midfiled has talents such as Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Matthieu Valbuena. Strike force includes current sensation in Athletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann and real Madrid striker, Kareem Benzema.

These are the projected starting team for Les Blues. Coach Didier Deschamps also has options in West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet. The injury scare the team has is Nabil Fekir playing at Lyon. The attacker is close to returning to action but the talent may not make the final squad. The young player played last in September last year when France defeated Portugal by a lone goal.

Coach Deschamps would also have to worry about Benzema off the field issues affecting his psyche. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal’s striker also on the attacking options for the star-studded French team has admitted to reporters that Benzema’s sex tape scandal could “pollute the spirit” in the team.

Giroud who scored on Friday in a friendly against Netherlands in a 3-2 victory said: “It [Benzema’s scandal] is something that can pollute our spirit. I try not to think about it as it prevents us from concentrating on matters on the pitch. It is the pitch which is the most important.”