for Didier Deschamps, lessons at all ranks before the Euro

If the results of the Blues’ friendly matches are not of great importance, the individual performances of some, a few days before the Euro, could reshuffle the cards in the mind of the coach.

“It wasn’t easy today, we’re going to use it in relation to what awaits us at the Euro.” The words come from Didier Deschamps himself, after a sad draw against Canada. As a dress rehearsal, the Blues did not show much, and if no one can blame them for having eased off somewhat after a good first half hour, some of them scored points.

If we add those obtained during the first friendly against Luxembourg, the coach could draw certain conclusions, at bedtime the names of the 11 starters who will start the Euro against Austria, on June 17 in Düsseldorf. A look back at the different lessons learned from the preparation of the Blues.

Koundé and Saliba are gaining momentum

Jonathan Clauss’ breath was becoming more and more insistent on the back of his neck, but Jules Koundé recalled why Didier Deschamps has regularly trusted him on the right side of his defense for almost three years. The magnificent goal scored by the Olympique de Marseille full-back against Luxembourg could also have marked his downgrade.

The Barcelona player’s match against Canada in any case confirmed his current good performance and certainly closed the debate on the name of the Blues’ right-back for the tournament. Above all, he showed great offensive skills, being diligent on his crosses, which he has not always managed to do in selection.

The main headache for Didier Deschamps will certainly be knowing who he will line up in the axis of his defense, even if the left side could also cause him a lot of problems, if Théo Hernandez’s injury turns out to be more serious than expected. No, the real question for the coach is how to deprive himself of William Saliba, regardless of who will play alongside him.

Author of a good half against Luxembourg, he signed two decisive interventions against Canada, behaving like a boss and avoiding an embarrassing defeat to the Tricolores, in line with two impressive seasons with Arsenal.

Kanté, already more than a spare wheel?

After two years away from Clairefontaine and the French team, there were many doubts surrounding the current level of N’Golo Kanté, who went into exile in Saudi Arabia. Called to the rescue because of doubts surrounding the state of health of Aurélien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot, the former boss of the French midfield resumed the thread of his history in selection as if he had never never been broken.

Shining against a weak Luxembourg, he did it again against Canada, even playing 90 minutes and bringing his offensive energy. Enough to (re)earn your starting stripes? Maybe.

He seized the opportunity that presented itself, like Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga. If the presence of Antoine Griezmann in the middle is beyond doubt, the Monegasque and the Madrilenian have scored points in their race for the one who will be called upon to take over from the two usual holders of the position.

Their main obstacle to this will certainly be N’Golo Kanté, whose international experience is certainly of much more value in Deschamps’ eyes than their respective good performances.

Thuram-Giroud, a zero point who reshuffles the cards

Engaged in a mano a mano to take the lead of the Blues attack, Olivier Giroud and Marcus Thuram did not score points during the two matches played in recent days, scoring no goals. In this little game, if overall it is the best scorer in the history of the selection who comes out on top, the situation could perhaps be different this time.

Because France will need to score other than by following the path traced by Kylian Mbappé, but also because the success of the Blues in the tournament will depend a lot on the identity of the one who will be responsible for receiving the balls distributed in the area .

Because it must be emphasized, Ousmane Dembélé was very good on the right flank against Canada, Kinglsey Coman was strong and Bradley Barcola was impactful if not always fair in his entries into play. So yes, the balls will arrive in the area and you will have to be confident when taking them back.

Scorer against Luxembourg, but author of a big miss at the end of the match against Canada, Randal Kolo Muani will perhaps be the big winner of this game of musical chairs. After all, Didier Deschamps’ confidence in the former Nantes player has never really wavered, why would it now?