Update: 3:50PM THE French national side is already making headlines with the FIFA World Cup about three weeks away.
It’s the frustration that is on supporters of the 1998 world cup winners.
In form forward Samir Nasri has been overlooked by French coach Didier Deschamps and that has sparked huge uproar in the football circle.
The Manchester City midfielder, who has started most of the games for the English Premier League giants and was instrumental in the team’s two major title wins this season, will have to watch the world cup in Brazil from the comfort of his living room.
Nasri is believed to be left out because of disciplinary reasons.
He was banned for three matches by the French FA during Euro 2012 for launching an expletive-laden rant at reporters following France’s quarter-final defeat by Spain.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes it’s a mistake to leave Nasri out of the squad.
But then Deschamps knows better.
He has a strong midfield with the likes of Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle) and Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain) leading the charge in the central role.
Even Nasri wasn’t anticipating his inclusion in the side.
“If starting games in a club like Manchester City and winning two titles isn’t enough, too bad, I won’t regret anything,” Nasri said in an interview with Canal+.
Coach Deschamps will rely heavily on strikers Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) and Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) to lead the charge.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is another exciting player to watch out for in the forward. But how will Nasri’s exclusion fair for France.
Given his excellent form this season, he will be sorely missed.
France is grouped with Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras and is the top bet in advancing into the next stage of the competition.
France world cup team:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille).
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Paris Saint-Germain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
Forwards: Loic Remy (Newcastle), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad).
Standby: Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Benoit Tremoulinas (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
