FIFA 2018 World Cup team analysis: France have talent and depth to go all the way

FIXTURE | GROUP C ANALYSIS

Country: France

Placed in Group C with Denmark, Australia, Peru

Fixtures June 16: vs Australia (Kazan, 3.30 pm IST)

June 21: vs Peru (Ekaterinburg, 8.30 pm IST)

June 26: vs Denmark (Luzhniki, 7.30 pm IST)

FIFA ranking: 7

Previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

Best finish: Winners (1998)

Star players: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint Germain forward), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, forward), Paul Pogba (Manchester United, midfielder), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona, defender).

Coach: Didier Deschamps

Ça bosse 💪🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/eZWTwBF79O

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 7, 2018

France team analysis

France had fallen into a gorge after the glory days of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry that saw them winning the World Cup and the Euro titles and lording over the rest of the world. The Les Blues were even slipped to 27 in FIFA rankings - their all time lowest in this period. But under Deschamps, France have made their way back and now they have ensemble of some of the most glittering young stars.

And none shines brighter than their forward line. Who will you bench from among Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar and Nabil Fekir? And all of them are under the radar of some of the biggest clubs and will be watched closely during the World Cup. In sheer potency, the French forwards can match or even better the Brazilians.

.@AntoGriezmann Thomas #Lemar et les Bleus en route pour Lyon. #FRAUSA samedi. #fiersdetrebleus @fifaworldcup_fr pic.twitter.com/QU7Gr2lyGZ

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 8, 2018

Then there are other stars like Paul Pogba, Samuel Umtiti, Blaise Matuidi and Raphael Varane that make France a formidable force. The Group C should not pose France too much issues. Australia have only one of their last nine World Cup games and Peru, though no mere pushovers, just do not have enough firepower to push France.

The only possible threat is Denmark but France are playing them in their last Group C engagement and by the time Deschamps boys should be able to seal a knockout stage berth. In the Round of 16 game, France may face one of Nigeria or Iceland or Croatia and in the quarterfinals they may draw Portugal. But France have the mettle and skills to survive those tests.

Les enfants ont des étoiles dans les yeux pendant leur entraînement de rêve avec leurs idoles 🤩 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/2jlKOJdWlp

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 6, 2018

Possible line-up

(4-3-3): Hugo Lloris (Goalkeeper); Defenders: Benjamin Mendy, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane, Djibril Sidibe; Midfielders: Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi; Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele.

Prediction: They can go all the way considering the talent and depth in their squad. It's almost like more talent wait in the bench than on the field. Not even Brazil or Germany have that luxury. Perhaps, it's time bag that Trophy Numero Deaux.