Jet-setting Gary Linton is back to bring us the best in French players playing around the continent.
Eden Hazard was spotted at the Emirates at the weekend, attending the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match. Hence the rumours that continue to mount over the Belgian’s future. The late game on Sunday in the Premier league, had two Frenchman up against each other, Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny came up against Manchester United’s Patrice Evra. In what was a tight game, United came out on top eventually winning 2-1. Evra in his excellent performance came out on top, winning more tackles, more aerial duels, had more touches and completed more dribbles than Koscielny. With such a dominant performance from the full-back, maybe Arsenal could have done with a player like Hazard to keep him occupied.
When people say form is temporary class is permanent they must have been speaking about Samir Nasri. The Frenchman who started off under fantastic form at City, has came under a bit of criticism as of late. Over the last half a dozen games, it’d be hard to disagree that he’s improved, and improved a lot! Sunday’s early kick off, was Manchester City up against Tottenham Hotspur. The game started off slowly, and was a bit of a dull first half, but the game got kicked into life by no one other than Mr Nasri who scored the opening goal of the match, City would go on to win the game 3-2, all the goals coming in the second half. Nasri’s stats were also very impressive, just shy of hundred touches, 96 to be precise, more than any other player on the park. Is he upping his game in time for the end of the season, and the start of the European Championship?
Over to Spain we go and first up is Thievy Bifouma. The young Frenchman was looking to step up to the challenge to play alone up front at just the age of 19. He done very well in the job he was handed, a match that Espanyol won in the end by three goals to nil over Granada. Bifouma had a very impressive game setting up one of the three goals, holding up the play well as he won 100% of his aerial duels, one of the most impressive youngsters in La Liga without doubt and one who will go far in the team as well as the national team. Very promising future for the young forward, who has the presence and build of a player who’s in his mid twenties, Espanyol may find difficult to keep in the Blanquiblaus .
Another player in La Liga, leading the line by himself was a man who’s done it time and time again for both Real Madrid and his country. Karim Benzema, a player who I regard as one of the best strikers on the planet, one with a natural instinct, and is a very clinical finisher. 1-0 down to their opponents Bilbao at the weekend, Benzema along with his team mates made a very impressive comeback, eventually winning the match 4-1. Benzema scored no goals in this one, but at least got in an assist. It just goes to show that even if he’s not scoring he’s always helping out the team. One who should shine this summer in Ukraine and Poland at the European Championships.
Our last stop this week is Serie A and we’re at Novara, Italy to oversee the performance of yet another defender. This time it was Milan’s Philippe Mexès making only his fourth appearance this season, he along with the other three in the backline put in a solid defensive performance. Reducing Novara to only two shots on target, and keeping a clean sheet in the process as Milan won the game 3-0. This is one player who has received little chance at Milan so far this season, but his performance at the weekend showed he can still compete at the highest level. Maybe one to think about for the Euro’s, his last call up was back in March last year in a game against Croatia.