Euro 2020 Squad Guide and Analysis: France

06/02/2021 4605

Les Blues will be looking to add to their 2018 World Cup triumph this year. But in a group that features Portugal and Germany, Didier Deschamps’ men will have their work cut out.

• Manager: Didier Deschamps

• Current FIFA World Ranking: 2nd

• Best European Championship finish: Champions (1984, 2000)

Having won the World Cup in Russia three years ago, France will be expected to mount a serious challenge for the Euro 2020 title.

The two-time European Championship winners’ squad is littered with world-class stars. Let’s take a closer look at the team before analyzing their chances for the tournament.

• France’s Euro 2020 Squad

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

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

Midfielders: N’golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham).

Attackers: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona).

• Who Will France Face in Group F?

France have been drawn into the group of death, alongside Portugal and Germany, as well as Hungary. They begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Germany in Munich on June 15.

Les Blues then face Group F underdogs Hungary in Budapest on June 19, before coming up against defending champions Portugal on June 23.

• France’s Star Player

Kylian Mbappe: Raphael Varane, N’golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema all look set to play key roles for France, but there is absolutely no denying that Mbappe is France’s golden boy.

The PSG star shone as France won the World Cup in 2018, winning the Best Young Player Award in Russia. He has also finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer for three seasons running and has 16 goals in 41 apps for his country.

• How Far Can France Go?

There is no reason why France can’t make it all the way to the final. Of course, they are in a tough group. But they have more than enough world-class players to go the distance.

If they can get past Portugal and Germany, they should enjoy a favourable route to the final. If they do reach the showpiece, they will likely be favourites to lift the trophy.

Prediction: Final