French coach Raymond Domenech is still lucky to be in his job. The coach who has allegedly picked teams according to astrology readings sprung yet a few more surprises as he left out veteran midfield general Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema. Arsenal’s Samir Nasri has also been left out of the preliminary 30-man squad despite being instrumental in taking the Gunners to third position in the English Premier League in Cesc Fabregas’ absence.
Barcelona’s Thierry Henry and Arsenal’s central defender, William Gallas, however have been included in the World Cup party. The perpetually under-fire Domenech had promised to name his final 23-man list even though FIFA’s deadline is not until 1st June but changed his mind at the last moment.
Regarding the omission of Vieira, he said he was hopeful the marauding midfielder, who has 107 caps and was a member of the sides which won the 1998 World Cup as well as the Euro 2000, would eventually convince him that he was worthy of a place in the squad.
"We have been following Pat for a while, hoping he could make it to the World Cup. It's a difficult moment. We tried and he tried too. It's tough but there comes a time when you need to make a decision".
Vieira spoke out against Domenech at the omission saying that the French tactician lacked class and said that his years’ of service deserved at least an explanation face-to-face. He charged that Domenech lacked courage and had taken the simple, ungraceful way out.
Vieira’s absence means that France will not have a single player from the fateful final in 1998, which beat Brazil 3-0. Henry was in that squad but did not play in the final.
Henry has been an infrequent face in Barcelona’s first team with Spanish coach Pep Guardiola preferring Pedro or Bojan Krkic ahead of the Frenchman. Despite that, Henry, who is the captain of the French national side remains a key figure and was at the centre of the firestorm involving the infamous handball that ensured their qualification for the World Cup at the expense of the seething Republic of Ireland side in Paris.
Among the English based players, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna are in the squad from Arsenal. Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and Chelsea players Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka have also been included in the preliminary squad. Regarding the surprise omission of Benzema, who is considered the future of French football but had recently been embroiled in a s*x scandal, Domenech had reassuring words for the forward, “Karim has talent and he will come back. He's had a difficult season with Real and we needed players who were fresh and hungry.”
Benzema has been on the fringes of the Real Madrid side after making a big money move from Lyon in the summer and this omission in the squad caps a miserable year for the Frenchman who will also have to face possible legal action.
Among the list of surprises in the French squad include Stade Rennes' teenage midfielder Yann M'Vila, Olympique Marseille's winger Mathieu Valbuena and Bordeaux centre-back Marc Planus.
Domenech is renowned for making ‘Chimbonda’ decisions referring to then Wigan’s right back Pascal Chimbonda being selected in the 30-man squad for the World Cup 2006 despite never having made an international appearance. Domenech has been stubbornly eccentric and it is thought that this showpiece event will be his last if France fails to reproduce their best form.
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)
Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Adil Rami (Lille), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)
Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M'Vila (Stade Rennes)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Stade Rennes)
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