France focus on bright future bearing fruit at Euro 2016

Mats Hummels’ header and dogged defending, which squeezed any impetus out of French flair, was all the difference between themselves and Germany when Les Bleus exited the World Cup in the quarter-finals.

Thoughts across the Channel promptly turn to hosting duties for an expanded tournament format at Euro 2016 now. France are 11/2 third-favourites to win it behind the Germans and a wounded Spain. The signs are encouraging for Didier Deschamps, who skippered Les Bleus to global glory on home soil in 1998, because of several emerging talents.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, one that got away for Manchester United, received the best young player accolade at the World Cup. His development, and those of others, should continue apace with Les Bleus organising serious tests as they prepare for the Euros.

Spain, Serbia and Portugal are France’s next three games, albeit friendlies, but they look anything other than straightforward. Was this where Brazil made their bloomer before the World Cup? It was more like encounters with Honduras, South Africa and Panama for them. Les Bleus do have some less glamorous friendlies to come too, against Armenia and Albania.

Deschamps and his charges must build on their more successful showings at the World Cup. Dwelling on the damp squib nature of their exit in Brazil to Germany will prove destructive. Instead, there are plenty of positives to draw from thrashing neighbours Switzerland and humbling hostile Honduras.

If there is one question mark surrounding France, though, it’s can they find a place for the talents of Samir Nasri? Deschamps decided to omit him from the World Cup roster, despite key contributions made to Manchester City’s Premier League title win. The snub hit both Nasri and Etihad teammate Gael Clichy hard, especially with ageing left back Patrice Evra’s legs in need of replacing.

Exiled egos notwithstanding, in their stead others certainly shone. Marseille’s diminutive playmaker Mathieu Valbuena excelled in a nominally wide berth, while Basque winger Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad) provided direct support for Karim Benzema when included over Olivier Giroud.

There’s a little of everything in midfield to boot. Blaise Matuidi’s energetic box-to-box abilities worked well in tandem with Pogba, while deep-lying guile came from former Newcastle United playmaker Yohan Cabaye. Premier League trio Moussa Sissoko, Morgan Schneiderlin and Remy Cabella rarely saw action in Brazil, but show there is real strength in depth in the engine room.