'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The French national side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup has got a blend of youth and experience. Having got experience in the form of players like Lloris, Griezmann, Matuidi and Pogba, France also have talented young players in the form of Varane, Umtiti, Dembele and Mbappe.
This current side, which closely resembles the 1998 World Cup winning French team, has got the skill, talent, experience in these departments, along with adequate back-up. They have been transformed into a world-class side due to the efforts of their manager Didier Deschamps.
France had quite a successful campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers, having topped their respective group. Griezmann, along with Giroud was their top-scorer with 4 goals and Hugo Lloris successfully kept 5 clean sheets for them. They also have relatively easy teams to face in the group stage and hence, are expected to comfortably top their group.
France's style of play in the World Cup will be to keep possession, look to penetrate the opposition's defence with creative passes and quickly steal the ball when the opposition tries to counter-attack because they have players who can press. As a whole unit, France are probably the most formidable side in the tournament.
Having narrowly lost the Euro 2016 final against Portugal, France will be looking to learn from their mistakes, lost opportunities and mount a serious challenge to lift the World Cup in Russia. Let us look at the reasons as to why France can beat the odds in Russia.
#3 Reliable defence
Lloris is a very experienced and dependable goal-keeper in Europe. Being the captain of France in Russia, he has probably the safest hands in the tournament apart from Manuel Neuer. Being a good communicator, Lloris will also have to play the crucial role in guiding and encouraging the two young central defenders, Varane and Umtiti in front of him.
Having represented France in 98 matches, Lloris will have to play a vital role in not letting the shoulders of young players drop. Having kept 3 clean sheets at the 2014 World Cup, Lloris' goal-keeping skills will prove valuable for France if they are going to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
#2 Formidable midfield trio
France's trio of Kante, Pogba and Matuidi is the one to beat. They have got pace, agility, experience and the stamina to give their best throughout the game. Kante will play the role of defensive midfielder and hence, will break the opposition's attack with his excellent tackling skills. Having represented France in 24 matches, he played a vital role for France in reaching the Euro 2016 finals.
He will also be responsible for creating the attack and passing the ball with perfect accuracy to Pogba and Matuidi. Matuidi, on the other hand, will be responsible for passing the ball fluently to attackers, will join the French attack and at the same time, due to his relentless stamina, will also have the duty of helping Kante during opposition's attack. He has made 67 appearances and scored 9 goals for France.
Paul Pogba will link-up with forwards, play as an attacking midfielder and look to provide through balls which will penetrate the opposition's defence. He will frequently come back to help the defence and will prove to be quite a dangerous player for the opposition. He has made 54 appearances and scored 9 goals for France.
Hence, France midfield trio will prove to be difficult for the opposition to take it on.
#1 Talented youngsters and squad depth
France have many exceptionally talented youngsters who are playing for elite clubs in Europe. They have Umtiti and Varane as defenders who are risk-takers and at the same time efficient in dealing with opposition attackers.
In front, they have Mbappe and Dembele who have tremendous amount of pace, are good at crossing the ball and are exceptional finishers. They will be led by Griezmann in a 3-man attack, who we all know has developed into a world-class player. The World Cup is the best stage for these youngsters to showcase their talent and hence, they will be raring to fire in the tournament.
From the above reasons, we can easily say that France have the best squad capable of lifting their 2nd World Cup. This French team will be an exciting lot to watch out for in Russia.
