The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 coach has been impressed by the positive attitude of the Paris Saint-Germain player, and has welcomed him back in the national squad
The 25-year-old missed the game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408 and fighting with a referee during EURO 2012.
However, Menez was immediately recalled for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers by Didier Deschamps, and is expected to start against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Finland-c2898 this Friday.
While many have criticised Deschamps for bringing Menez back in the team, the coach is standing by his decision.
The former Marseille coach stated that the behaviour and the attitude of the 25-year-old has been phenomenal over the past few weeks and he really wants to make amends for his mistakes.
Menez knows the importance of having a good image as a footballer, and Deschamps believes that the player is making efforts to clear his name from the list of troublemakers.
“He has made an effort so that we don't pigeonhole him as a player who sulks,"
The French coach added that Menez is a quality player and his improved behaviour shows that he wants to be loved by the supporters, which is very important if one wants to be a top-class footballer.
“It's important he did that. It's not going to make him better on the pitch, but for a top-class footballer, who's in the public eye, you have to be careful with your image."
Apart from Menez issue, Didier Deschamps has another problem to address for the match against Finland.
Les Bleus first-choice centre-backs, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mamadou-Sakho-c23293 out on the field.
The former France international stated that both his centre-backs have the ability to survive at this level and he is confident of naming them in his starting eleven.
“The tricky thing is that the four players are not at the same level in terms of rhythm. Laurent Koscielny's last 90-minute match was at the EURO against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adil-Rami-c3639 has had a short pre-season. The two other players play full matches with their clubs
and played against Uruguay.”
France take on Finland on Friday, to kick-start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
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