FIFA World Cup 2018: Statistical Analysis Of France

If the oddsmakers are to go by, France is one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Here is a detailed analysis on why they’re considered one of the strongest units amongst the 32 teams that going to compete.

World Cup History:

This is going to be the European nation’s 15th appearance in the World Cup. They have won the trophy once when they hosted the tournament in their home country in 1998. Apart from that, they’ve reached the final of this competition one more time in the 2006 edition in Germany, where the infamous headbutt of Zinedine Zidane took place.

Even though France is a FIFA World Cup winner and Euro Cup winner as well, the team hasn’t performed at their expected level consistently and have eliminated from the tournaments earlier than expected sometimes.

Analysis:

France was the favourites to win the UEFA Euro Cup in 2016 and they were piped by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the final. The team defeated Germany in the semi-final of that tournament and it showed how far along they have come as a group.

It can be argued that they have arguably the most balanced team and perform really well together. Coach Didier Deschamps has been at the helm of this roster since 2012 and has since changed their fortune.

With their captain Hugo Lloris being one of top five goalkeepers in the world right now, the defensive line has a decent safety net. Real Madrid’s Rafael Varane and FC Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti can form a formidable wall in front of Lloris.

Paul Pogba is one of the most creative players in the game, and with France, he has a free role to dictate the play.

Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe are two of the youngest but fiercest wingers and aptly support Antoine Griezmann as attacking outlets.

The team has excellent bench strength as well and can make plays happen with tactical tweaking along.

N’Golo Kante is a key player for this French side as he is responsible for breaking down the opposition attacks in his own half and also sometimes creating one for his team. This helps the team to control the possession and the pace at which the game is played.

This is another golden generation for Les Blues, and if they don’t do significant advancement in this World Cup, it would be a travesty for the nation.

France is clubbed in Group C with Denmark, Peru and Australia.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Alphonse Areola (Paris St-Germain).

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St-Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Steven N’Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain), Florian Thauvin (Marseille).