It’s time for a French revolution

 

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By Simon Overall, 2 Jul 2008 Simon Overall is a Roar Rookie

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 AC Milan, Arsenal, Euro 2008, European Championship, France, Jose Mourinho, Juventus, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane

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France’s dismal exit from Euro 2008 comes as a new low for the one time World and European Champions, and the 2006 World Cup finalists.

Perhaps only their ordinary performance at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan can match this current side, which surrendered so easily to the Dutch, and despite certain circumstances, were devoid of ideas against the Italians.

When French legend Zinedine Zidane exited the world stage in 2006, it should have signaled the end of an era for France.

Instead, French coach Domenech continued to select an aging side built around the likes of 35 year-old Claude Makalele, 36 year-old Lilian Thuram, 31 year-old Willy Sagnol, and the similarly aged Thierry Henry, who barely resembles the player that lit up the Premier League for so long.

In Makalele’s case, he had indicated his wish to retire after 2006, only for Domenech to insist he stay on. And indeed he did, and one tournament too many I feel.

Even then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hit out at Domenech accusing the Les Bleus coach of being a ‘slave driver’.

Lilian Thuram may well be the French record cap holder, but like his teammates, his age certainly was shown up in this tournament culminating in his and Willy Sagnol’s reluctance to play in the final game against Italy, citing the fact they were no longer mentally up for the challenge, if the reports are to be believed.

In came Abidal and Clerc, and the rest is now history.

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry, the all time leading scorer for France and unquestionable legend, looked disinterested at times, maybe distracted by a poor first season for Barca, in part due to his failure to adapt at the Catalan club.

Many pundits felt that he, alongside Bayern ace Frank Ribery, would be the key to French hopes of taking out their third European Championship. But both failed to fire.

Nicolas Anelka, who started the first game upfront with Karim Benzema, demonstrated once again why many in the footballing world think of him as a ‘tragic genius’, a wasted talent.

The nomadic striker, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid, played in title winning sides at Arsenal, had spells at PSG, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and now with Chelsea, resembled many of his teammates – lazy, without passion and more so in Anelka’s case, selfish and devoid of ideas.

Two common factors link Anelka and Henry like many before them: both were graduates of the famed Clairefontaine youth academy in France.

If Domenech had taken a leaf from the likes of Dutch coach Marco Van Basten, who has successfully integrated younger players into an aging Dutch side that had previously struggled its way into the semi-finals of Euro 2004 and the knock-out stage of the World Cup in 2006, there is little doubt that Les Bleus would have gone further at Euro 2008.

Apart from French Ligue One top scorer Karim Benzema (a Lyon youth product), it seems somewhat bizarre that the French coach ignored precocious young talents like Clairefontaine trained Gabriel Obertan, a 19 year-old striker for Bordeaux who featured regularly for Les Girondins last season; former Sochaux youth product Jeremy Menez, a winger now at Monaco; as well as Rennes starlet Jimmy Briand, another Clarefontaine graduate, all established French Under 21 internationals.

Defensively, Roma’s Philippe Mexès was a strange absentee from Domenech’s final squad, having been part of the provisional side named prior to the tournament.

Mexès had been ever-present for the Giallorossi this season, making 41 appearances, including nine in the Champions League.

Arsenal’s Bakary Sagna, despite an injury at the back-end to last season, was fit to play. Yet the French boss opted for the older Sagnol at right back.

In midfield, to his credit, he selected Arsenal-bound Samir Nasri, who was unable to have an impact with his limited on-field time. But the lack of other creative midfielders left many people questioning Domenech’s wisdom.

The choice of a midfield based around an injured Patrick Vieira, who may well have had an impact if fit, Lassana Diarra, Lyon’s Jérémy Toulalan, and Claude Makalele, was always bound to lack any creative spark.

Lyon starlet, Hatem Ben Arfa, who at least would have given them an option, was left out of the final 23.

Upfront he questionably left out Juventus striker David Trezeguet, who despite being the same age as Henry, had scored 20 times for the Old Lady in 36 games and was in arguably far better form and condition than Henry.

In came surprise selection Bafetimbi Gomis, having impressed in Ligue One and also scoring a brace on his debut prior to the tournament against Ecuador.

Domenech’s reliance on the old guard of French football has come back to haunt him, and should cost him his job.

Despite this, he remains defiant, hoping it seems that the French Football Federation don’t do what many predict, and fire the former French Under 21 boss.

That said, the time for change is now.

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