We have to wait another thirteen days before seeing these Blues launch their tournament, against Australia, on November 22 (8 p.m.). An adventure they hope to extend as far as possible, with the dream of a third star on December 18 in mind. In the meantime, let’s discover this largely renewed team. Small x-ray.
26 years and 8 months
In 2018, the average age of those called up was 25 years and 10 months, with 5 players over 30 (Giroud, Mandanda, Matuidi, Giroud, Rami). Four years later, there are the same number of thirtysomethings (Lloris, Mandanda, Giroud, Benzema, Griezmann). But the average has increased slightly (26 years and 8 months). With this staggering gap between junior Camavinga (19) and Steve Mandanda, almost twice as old (37).
10 players with less than 10 selections
As for the ages, there is a selection of all levels. Tauliers from intauliers and rookies almost out of training centers. This is why the average number of selections is not the most telling data (36.9). This is more than in 2018 (24) or 2014 (22.9).
More interesting to note, there are 10 players with less than 10 capes in blue, 10 to have never played a Euro or a World Cup. Conversely, five Blues from the trip to Qatar have more than 80 selections (Lloris, Giroud, Griezmann, Benzema, Varane).
Only 6 players from Ligue 1
These 25 Blues reflect the ability of the French team to export (against their will?) their talents to the four corners of Europe. There are only six players from the French elite (Mandanda, Kimpembe, Fofana, Veretout, Guendouzi, Mbappé) against nine in 2018. This still makes it the first championship of origin, tied with Spain (6) . For the rest, the split is fairly fair between the Premier League, the Bundesliga (5) and Serie A (3). In addition, only 20% of players do not evolve in a club evolving in C1.
Nine Ile-de-France residents
Île-de-France continues to provide the crème de la crème of French football. There are nine elements out of the 25 from the Paris region (Areola, Kimpembe, Konaté, Koundé, Saliba, Rabiot, Guendouzi, Mbappé, Nkunku). This represents 36% of the group, exactly as in Russia.
12 absent compared to 2018
One could believe in a purge. Nearly 12 of the 23 world champions from 2018 will watch the tournament from their screens or the stands. This renewal rate (56%) is in fact nothing new. Brazil (1998, 2006), Italy (2010) or Germany (2018) reshuffled their ranks in the same proportions after their title. For varying fortunes of course, but stability is not necessarily a guarantee of success. Between 2014 and 2018, Didier Deschamps had conversely made 17 changes.
139 selections
Hugo Lloris, 139 selections, will become, barring mishap, the most capped French player to start a World Cup. Until now, the record was held by Thierry Henry (121 caps before 2010), ahead of Lilian Thuram (114). Olivier Giroud should join the former defender on the 3rd step of the podium. Before, perhaps to equal Henry at the top of the ranking of the top scorers of the Blues (49 goals against 51).
Three editions
Didier Deschamps is preparing to spend his third World Cup on the sidelines after 2014 and 2018. Before him, there was only one precedent with the Habs: Gaston Barreau in 1934, 1938 and 1954.