Full-backs lacking a lining
After a mixed Euro, Theo Hernandez clearly appeared to be suffering against these Italians that he knows well. The problem is that the coach lacks competition for the AC Milan player, because Ferland Mendy always has a problem when it comes to joining the Blues, which benefits Lucas Digne. On the right, Didier Deschamps had decided to give Jules Koundé a breather against Italy, or at least to test another player. So Jonathan Clauss started, but isn’t there anyone better than the current Nice player, aged 31, to look forward to the 2026 World Cup? Perhaps it was an opportunity to recall Malo Gusto (Chelsea), or to test Sacha Boey (Bayern Munich).
In the middle, still a lack of creation
This is a recurring problem for the French team since Paul Pogba’s setbacks. The Blues lack this midfielder capable of bringing a real plus to the offensive game, and of providing a little support to Antoine Griezmann in creation. The players called up do not have this register, or not completely (Fofana, Kanté, Zaïre-Emery, Koné…). The coach must hope that players Désiré Doué and Maghnes Akliouche confirm their promises.
Without Giroud, no real newcomer?
With Olivier Giroud’s international retirement, the French team lacks a real centre forward, capable of playing as a pivot, to use Kylian Mbappé’s favorite term. This is not the Bondy player’s style, nor that of Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, even if they are attackers who can play in the centre. As for the next generation, the fact that Thierry Henry has chosen to call up Alexandre Lacazette for the Olympic Games is not a very good sign for Elye Wahi, Mathys Tel or Georginio Rutter. It is up to them to take a step forward.
