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The 23 players French list has been revealed a few minutes ago.
6 former 98 World Cup & 00 European cup winners : goal keeper Barthez (Marseille), defender Thuram (Juventus), midfields Vieira (Juventus) & Zidane (Real Madrid), strikers Henry (Arsenal) & Trezeguet (Juventus)
1 former 00 European cup winner : Wiltord (French championship winner 06 Lyon)
These players did well enough with the selection to be chosen even though Barthez made a few errors with the national team (against Costa Rica) and Vieira seemed out of shape (with his club too).
The ones who impress me the more are Wiltord (always available, never giving up) & Henry.
Other goal keepers : Coupet (Lyon - did really well, elected best goal keeper by the players this year - but he'll be #2), Landreau (Nantes - mostly known for being really good during the penalty kicks phase)
Defenders : Abidal (Lyon, with a striker mentality, reminds me of Koeman when it comes to kicking the ball far away to a partner & not missing him), Boumsong (Newcastle, central, impressive body, always better during the second half), Chimbonda (Wigan - the greatest surprise : he hadn't been selected before & the French don't know him), Gallas (English 06 championship winner with Chelsea - could play left field, right field, but would favor central), Givet (Monaco - had a sore year but very regular guy; won't take many risks, won't cross the midfield line), Sagnol (Bayern Munich - I suppose they won this year too - great at delivering good balls in front of the opponents cage - right wing), Silvestre (Manchester UD - had been terrible a couple of years ago with the national team; was asked back for last game and proved his solidity)
Other midfields : Diarra (Lens - would replace Vieira, a young player), Dhorasoo (Paris Saint-Germain - not sure it's the greatest pick, but a team might need someone who's got a good nature and brains), Makelele (Chelsea - formerly with Real Madrid - won lots of trophies), Malouda (Lyon, seemingly slow but it's a lure, left wing, delivering goodies, fine character, could score a lot more according to his managers; lots of kick offs should be given for faults he will endure)
Other strikers : Cissé (Liverpool - scored a lot to get France to the World Cup, sometimes misses it all), Ribéry (Marseille, scarfaced, really really talented, really fast, with the ball sticking to his feet, lots of stamina - his club missed a place for next year's European Clubs Cups), Saha (Manchester UD, very altruistic guy who took Van Nistelrooy's place in club)
Very excited with the list in spite of the non-selection of striker Anelka (Fenerbace - who had been so good during the last games).
Promising
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