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How far will France’s talent take them at the World Cup this summer?

By Devin Nguyen

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 23: Team France stand together during a minute of silence as a tribute to the people who lost their lives due to a terrorist attack in Trebes in the south of France before the international friendly match between France and Colombia at Stade de France on March 23, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 23: Team France stand together during a minute of silence as a tribute to the people who lost their lives due to a terrorist attack in Trebes in the south of France before the international friendly match between France and Colombia at Stade de France on March 23, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /
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France is an uber talented team. With countless options at each position, they fail to play cohesively. Their talent is undeniable, but how far can that take them this summer at the World Cup in Russia.

France finished this last round of international friendlies with a loss against Colombia and a victory over Russia. Trotting out the expected starting XI against Colombia, France went up 2-0 after twenty-five minutes but allowed three unanswered goals to lose the match 2-3.

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 23: Juan Fernando Quintero of Colombia reacts after scoring on a penalty kick during the international friendly match between France and Colombia at Stade de France on March 23, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 23: Juan Fernando Quintero of Colombia reacts after scoring on a penalty kick during the international friendly match between France and Colombia at Stade de France on March 23, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /

Against Russia, France cruised to a casual 1-3 victory in St. Petersburg. There was a French arrogance that underscored both games. France up by two against Colombia, felt their job was done and allowed Colombia’s persistence to prevail. However, against a poor Russia side, they comfortably sauntered to a victory.

France will prevail over most teams, like they did against Russia, because of the amount of talent in their squad. But even against Russia, they allowed their opponents opportunities from careless play.

Didier Deschamps came down on his team after their loss to Colombia.

"“I said what I had to say. I spoke about what I really didn’t like. My squad listens to me but sometimes they can slip like it happened against Colombia.” – Didier Deschamps (via Firstpost)"

There are questions whether Deschamps is the man to lead the French national team to glory, as he failed to do so already on home soil at the Euros two years ago. They lost to Portugal in the finals, but Portugal was unanimously believed to be one of the least talented teams at the tournament, despite having Cristiano Ronaldo.

They are only stronger going into the World Cup this summer: Kylian Mbappé has emerged as one the world’s top talents, Samuel Umtiti is now one the best defenders in the world playing for Barcelona and N’Golo Kante arguably won the titles for his two different teams in consecutive seasons.

PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 22 Kylian Mbappé (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 22 Kylian Mbappé (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Les Bleus will surely cruise through a mediocre group but will need to stitch together a team ethos if they want to make it far in the tournament.

With a number of options in each position, Deschamps is left with a lot of questions leading up to the World Cup. Does he play Raphael Varane and Umtiti in the back? Who plays in midfield alongside Kante? Does he insist on starting Olivier Giroud? And, who can he trust to come off the bench to make a difference in close games?

Next: Manchester United join race for Real Madrid and PSG target

France, one of the most talented teams in the tournament this year, will have to wait for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to seriously challenge for the title with a little more experience, a solidified team identity and possibly a new manager.

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