With the return of N'golo Kante to the squad, the midfield of the French national team will surely see intense competition, and coach Didier Deschamps will face the toughest challenge in personnel selection.
In the early hours of this morning (May 17th), the French national team officially announced the preliminary squad of players who will train in preparation for Euro 2024. Besides summoning top-tier superstars, coach Didier Deschamps surprised many by recalling his beloved protégé N'golo Kante, a player who played a significant role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia.
With Kante's presence, the French national team's midfield seems to be further polished by his perfection in every position. Despite not performing at the peak of his game in Europe anymore, the former Chelsea star is still chosen by Deschamps, inadvertently creating fierce competition for a starting spot in the lineup.
[caption id="attachment_5300" align="alignnone" width="502"] The preliminary squad of the French national team for Euro 2024. [Image: Getty][/caption]
Kante's midfield teammates include Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, and the young talent Warren Zaire-Emery. These are all outstanding players who have performed remarkably well for their respective clubs, and it's no surprise to see them included in this preliminary squad.
Below are some predictions about the French national team's midfield that coach Didier Deschamps might deploy at this Euro:
Tchouameni, Rabiot, and Griezmann (4-1-2-3)
During the World Cup 2022, Coach Deschamps "nailed down" this midfield trio in most of the matches in Qatar. In the 4-3-3 formation, Tchouameni would be the deepest player tasked with defensive duties, recovery, and transitioning the ball forward to the two teammates to initiate attacks.
This trio has played incredibly well together, helping the French national team defeat opponents and advance to the final. However, Les Bleus couldn't defend their title against Lionel Messi and the Argentine players, ultimately watching their opponents claim victory in a regrettable manner.
Tchouameni, Kante, and Griezmann (4-2-1-3)
Kante's presence gives Coach Deschamps another option in defense. With his versatility, Kante will join Tchouameni to form a solid midfield duo in front of the French defense, becoming a sturdy defensive barrier before opponents can enter the penalty area. Griezmann, playing higher up the field, will be tasked with dropping deeper to distribute the ball to key attacking positions, thus becoming the most crucial link in this formation.
Kante, Griezmann, and Rabiot (4-2-1-3)
In France's success at the 2018 World Cup, Kante formed an irreplaceable midfield duo with Paul Pogba, providing perfect balance. In this setup, Kante will be the deepest player tasked primarily with defensive duties, while Pogba, along with Griezmann, will be responsible for orchestrating attacks and leading the offensive transitions.
However, with Pogba's absence, Rabiot is a solid option to step into the role of the former Manchester United player. It's worth noting that Rabiot and Griezmann showed great chemistry at the 2022 World Cup, providing a strong foundation for the midfielder, currently with Juventus, to secure a place in this lineup. Kante, with his experience in big matches, will be expected to leverage his strengths to become a launching pad for France's attacks.
These are just speculations about the variations that the French national team could employ in midfield, and regardless of which players are chosen, it will still be a perfect midfield with both defensive and offensive capabilities ensured. Coach Deschamps will undoubtedly experience a "pleasant headache" with the talented individuals mentioned above.
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