France squad
Goalkeepers
Gregory COUPET
31.12.72
Lyon
29 caps (0 goals)
Undisputed first-choice keeper since Fabien Barthez faded away. “Greg” missed much of the autumn with a knee injury but has been in commanding form since his return at the start of the year.
Sebastien FREY
18.03.80
Fiorentina (Ita)
1 cap (0 goals)
It took a long time for Frey, whose grandad Andre was also an international, to break into the team, despite impressive club form. But he didn’t convince on his debut last November.
Steve MANDANDA
28.03.85
Marseille
1 caps (0 goals)
Mandanda is the younger brother of Parfait, also a goalkeeper, who plays for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Defenders
Eric ABIDAL
11.09.79
Barcelona (Spa)
33 caps (0 goals)
Has settled pretty well at Barca, from Lyon, and Domenech seems to just favour him ahead of Evra for the left-back berth. Pacy and likes to get forward but has the odd mad moment when defending.
Jean-Alain BOUMSONG
14.12.79
Lyon
22 caps (1 goal)
The athletic defender is back in France, at Lyon, after unsuccessful spells at Rangers, Newcastle and Juventus. Second choice in central defence behind Thuram and Gallas.
Francois CLERC
18.04.83
Lyon
10 caps (0 goals)
Domenech seems to be a fan of the young right-back, even though he’s not an automatic first-choice at Lyon. But Clerc has a fight on his hands with Bakary Sagna for a place in the squad.
Patrice EVRA
15.05.81
Manchester United (Eng)
9 caps (0 goals)
This Senegal-born son of a diplomat is an adventurous and dynamic left-back whose impressive engine allows him to get up and down the flank. Pushing Abidal for the starting berth.
William GALLAS
17.08.77
Arsenal (Eng)
61 caps (2 goals)
A spiky individual who defends with authority but sometimes lacks the emotional maturity to be a true leader. His central defensive partnership with Thuram gives France a rock-solid spine.
Willy SAGNOL
18.03.77
Bayern Munich (Ger)
54 caps (0 goals)
The excellent right-back suffered knee ligament damage last April and was out of action until early this year. Looked set to leave Bayern after a clash with coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, but has made his peace.
Sebastien SQUILLACI
10.08.80
Lyon
12 caps (0 goals)
Squillaci lost his place in the France side after Thuram returned to international football. Strong performances for Lyon the last two seasons have put him back in contention.
Lilian THURAM
01.01.72
Barcelona (Spa)
138 caps (2 goals)
Still one of the most elegant defenders around at 36, and the centre-half will be keen to show that he’s still got what it takes. But French fans are worried this might be a campaign too far.
Midfielders
Lassana DIARRA
10.03.85
Portsmouth (Eng)
10 caps (0 goals)
The defensive midfielder has played for three top English clubs at just 23, showing the esteem he is held in. France have a wealth of midfielders, but Domenech appears to have real faith in Diarra.
Sidney GOVOU
27.07.79
Lyon
31 caps (7 goals)
A selfless worker who often has an impact as a substitute thanks to his impressive speed. Has never scaled the heights some predicted he would, possibly due to his lack of precision in front of goal.
Claude MAKELELE
18.02.73
Chelsea (Eng)
66 caps (0 goals)
The ultimate midfield destroyer seems to get better with age. Perhaps it’s in the genes because his dad was also a pro. Quite simply the best defensive midfielder in the world at the age of 35.
Florent MALOUDA
13.06.80
Chelsea (Eng)
36 caps (3 goals)
A talented left-sided flyer but hasn’t set the Premiership alight since arriving from Lyon last year. If he doesn’t show some form soon, he will struggle to hold on to his national team starting place.
Samir NASRI
26.06.87
Marseille
7 caps (2 goals)
Attacking midfielder who has had to deal with immense expectations after being dubbed “the new Zidane” and has not made the same impact as Benzema, that other young gun.
Franck RIBERY
01.04.83
Bayern Munich (Ger)
25 caps (3 goals)
The playmaker is now the most important player in the France team and makes you gasp in astonishment whenever he’s on the field. The brightest talent in a side that hardly lacks stars.
Jeremy TOULALAN
10.09.83
Lyon
11 caps (0 goals)
Exciting defensive midfielder coming on in leaps and bounds. Offers tenacity in the tackle and simple, effective distribution. Played more offensively at previous club Nantes.
Patrick VIEIRA
23.06.76
Internazionale (Ita)
105 caps (6 goals)
Has had a huge influence on the national side but is he the player he was after an injury-hit season? Certainly, those lung-bursting gallops from end to end are becoming much less frequent.
Forwards
Nicolas ANELKA
14.03.79
Chelsea (Eng)
45 caps (11 goals)
Forget the lazy-looking style: Anelka has a razor-sharp mind and lightning pace and, after a number of spats with Domenech, is now established in the national team set-up.
Karim BENZEMA
17.12.87
Lyon
9 caps (3 goals)
Benzema has had an immense impact on French football this season having quickly established himself as main striker at Lyon. Euro 2008 gives him a big stage on which to strut his stuff.
Bafetimbi GOMIS
06.08.85
St. Etienne
1 caps (2 goals)
The powerful striker of Senegalese descent scored 16 league goals this season for St Etienne. Earner his place by scoring twice on his international debut against Ecuador.
Thierry HENRY
17.08.77
Barcelona (Spa)
98 caps (44 goals)
Became France’s all-time top scorer last October but has been off the pace at Barcelona this season and there are still doubts about Henry’s ability to step up to the plate when it really matters.
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