Five things France can do to boost Euro hopes after Brazil blow

The 21-year-old talent needs guaranteed playing time to develop his immense potential and much will depend on whether he switches club sides this summer. Varane should still be a mainstay, however, though he needs an assured and experienced partner.

Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakhou is often too nervy in possession when pressed, so perhaps Deschamps should take a punt on recent omission Jeremy Mathieu, if he can continue to nail down a spot at Barcelona.

Keep the faith at full back
Patrice Evra may be 33, but should still have enough left in the tank to join Les Bleus for a final Euro adventure. France (10/1 to win World Cup 2018) should also have an eye on the future, however, and the lack of a young left back in Deschamps’ squad was notable.

Lucas Digne is having a tough time at PSG, but Deschamps could work wonders by showing some confidence in the youngster. Monaco man Layvin Kurzawa is another fledgling full back on the block, who should be given the chance to challenge, as Evra cannot continue to shoulder the burden alone.

Attacking midfield impetus
The home team did suffer in powerful Paul Pogba’s absence, but a tenacious midfield trio of Morgan Schneiderlin, Blaise Matuidi and Moussa Sissoko lacked craft and seemed a little like overkill. Just two, plus the invention of eventual debutant Nabil Fekir, could have given France more threat.

Sissoko’s energy and exuberance would perhaps see the Newcastle United star best utilised as an impact player, and he likely will be be once Pogba returns.

Antoine Griezmann also continues to toil in a blue shirt and should not be immune to Deschamps’ axe, despite gobbling up chances for Atletico Madrid. Ligue 1 leading assist maker Dimitri Payet and Fekir should also be given a fair crack of the whip to push for inclusion.