France coach Deschamps faces selection dilemma

AP, CLAIREFONTAINE (FRANCE): France’s upcoming matches against Germany and England have extra significance in the absence of first-choice striker Karim Benzema. The friendlies offer coach Didier Deschamps a glimpse of how competitive his side is going to be without Benzema, who was out injured but also charged last week with conspiracy to blackmail.
The Real Madrid forward was charged as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving fellow France player Mathieu Valbuena, with investigators trying to find out if Benzema played a role in an extortion attempt targeting his teammate. Valbuena was left out by Deschamps for these two games, and Deschamps may eventually have to choose between them for his Euro 2016 squad.
He therefore urgently needs to look at other options - starting at home against Germany on Friday. At France’s training camp on Tuesday, winger Hatem Ben Arfa said: “It’s not a strain on us; we haven’t been talking about it.” But it threatens to become a real headache for Deschamps and one that could potentially overshadow France’s preparations to host the tournament.
France, too, appears weaker without Benzema and Valbuena. The consistent Valbuena is a big part of the attack as a quick, skilful passer with a fine footballing brain.
Benzema’s repertoire is complete, as a roaming mobile forward whose excellent touch enables him to drop deep and link with the midfield, an astute passer who can shield the ball with his back to goal, and a clinical finisher when the mood takes him.
His 27 international goals are especially valuable in a squad not noted for high scoring, with Arsenal centre-forward Olivier Giroud next best with 12. Both would normally expect to be starters at Euro 2016, yet one or both may not play — depending on what happens with the legal case.
Given the context, Giroud has a good opportunity to stake his claim for the No. 9 jersey if he performs well against Germany at home on Friday, and away to England at Wembley next week. But despite his touch and aerial prowess, Giroud remains a wasteful finisher — demonstrated last Sunday when he squandered three good chances against Tottenham.
Deschamps could therefore consider Antoine Griezmann, a technically skilled forward who has been in good form since joining Atletico Madrid last season, with 27 goals in 48 games. But Griezmann remains too lightweight for the cut and thrust of the centre-forward’s role and is better suited cutting in from the wing.

France coach Deschamps faces selection dilemma

AP, CLAIREFONTAINE (FRANCE): Frances upcoming matches against Germany and England have extra significance in the absence of first-choice striker Karim Benzema. The friendlies offer coach Didier Deschamps a glimpse of how competitive his side is going to be without Benzema, who was out injured but also charged last week with conspiracy to blackmail. The Real Madrid forward was charged as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving fellow France player Mathieu Valbuena, with investigators trying to find out if Benzema played a role in an extortion attempt targeting his teammate. Valbuena was left out by Deschamps for these two games, and Deschamps may eventually have to choose between them for his Euro 2016 squad. He therefore urgently needs to look at other options - starting at home against Germany on Friday. At Frances training camp on Tuesday, winger Hatem Ben Arfa said: Its not a strain on us; we havent been talking about it. But it threatens to become a real headache for Deschamps and one that could potentially overshadow Frances preparations to host the tournament. France, too, appears weaker without Benzema and Valbuena. The consistent Valbuena is a big part of the attack as a quick, skilful passer with a fine footballing brain. Benzemas repertoire is complete, as a roaming mobile forward whose excellent touch enables him to drop deep and link with the midfield, an astute passer who can shield the ball with his back to goal, and a clinical finisher when the mood takes him. His 27 international goals are especially valuable in a squad not noted for high scoring, with Arsenal centre-forward Olivier Giroud next best with 12. Both would normally expect to be starters at Euro 2016, yet one or both may not play depending on what happens with the legal case. Given the context, Giroud has a good opportunity to stake his claim for the No. 9 jersey if he performs well against Germany at home on Friday, and away to England at Wembley next week. But despite his touch and aerial prowess, Giroud remains a wasteful finisher demonstrated last Sunday when he squandered three good chances against Tottenham. Deschamps could therefore consider Antoine Griezmann, a technically skilled forward who has been in good form since joining Atletico Madrid last season, with 27 goals in 48 games. But Griezmann remains too lightweight for the cut and thrust of the centre-forwards role and is better suited cutting in from the wing.