EURO 2021 analysis: France is the biggest favourite to win. Anything other than a medal is a failure

France is the winner of the last World Cup in 2018 and had to suffer a bitter defeat in the final at EURO 2016. An incredibly loaded team brimming with stars, Didier Deschamps would be able to put together three competitive line-ups.

France may be in the group of death with Portugal and Germany, but the reigning world champions should advance further. After all, they are not the biggest favourites to win the trophy for nothing.

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Maignan (Lille), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Hugo Lloris, who has been the team captain for many years, is the clear leader in goal. He will be backed up by Mike Maignan and Steve Mandanda.

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Kounde (Sevilla), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

The flanks of the defence are perhaps the only slight weakness of a loaded Les Bleus team. Deschamps had to leave out Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy from the nomination, who would have probably started at left-back. Lucas Hernandez is likely to start this way and Benjamin Pavard will play right-back.

The stopper position is one of France’s great luxuries. So much so that even Aymeric Laporte changed his nationality to Spanish because he didn’t even get a stutter in France.

Deschamps often relies on the Varane – Kimpembe pairing, which should keep France in the championship. Other options are talented youngster Jules Kounde and Barcelona stopper Clement Lenglet.

Midfielders: Ngolo Kante (Chelsea), Thomas Lemar (Atlético Madrid), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Given the devastating attacking power, Deschamps is likely to bet on a pair of shield midfielders to cater for N’golo Kante and Paul Pogba in the championship.

Antoine Griezmann will start on the sub, and will have to withdraw for the position to make room for the returning Benzema. However, he always comes alive in the national team and puts in brilliant performances.

Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid’s main star, has added to France’s already flashy offensive. Together with arguably the world’s greatest talent, Kylian Mbappé, they are set to form a lethal duo to lead the French to the trophy.

The last spot on one of the wings will probably be occupied by either Kingsley Coman or Ousmane Dembele.

However, another option is to use the so-called diamond. In the friendly against Wales, Deschamps relied on the three central midfielders that Griezmann worked over. The two spearhead positions were occupied by the Mbappé-Benzema duo. In that case, either Tolisso or Rabiot would have worked with Kante and Pogba.

Key success factors: Suppressing the ego and form of the Mbappé – Benzema duo

France have a star-studded squad, which doesn’t always do them any good. In the past, Les Bleus have just often been accused of being a team made up of egotistical stars who only play for themselves.

But only big names don’t guarantee success and Deschamps knows this well. He managed to tame his charges well three years ago, now he has to do it again.

France’s eventual success or failure will depend a lot on the MB duo, i.e. Mbappé Benzema. They are both sharpshooters used to scoring goals, so they will have to organise themselves somehow in attack. How comfortable both of them get will determine the French results.

Location Tip: Winner

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