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World Cup Qualifier Football Thread

Discussion in 'World Football' started by Jack Torrance, Mar 25, 2017.

Discuss World Cup Qualifier Football Thread in the World Football area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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  2. ILoveTheCeltic

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    Spain should really be winning it with the overall standard of their team and depth.

    De Gea Reina
    Carvajal Azpilicueta Pique Ramos Nacho Alba
    Busquets Illarramendi J.Martinez
    Saul Koke Thiago Iniesta
    Pedro Mata Isco Silva Asensio
    Costa Morata​

    They on paper shouldn't have a real weakness. They have 2 good lone strikers, Pedro and Asensio for pace out wide, allsorts of creative possession midfielders, a good couple of sitting midfielders and the best defence anyone has got. Even guys like Bartra, Juanfran, Monreal, Sergi Roberto, Ceballos, Herrera, Callejon, Nolito, Aduriz if some players don't make it.
     
  3. PaulM1888 Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    I’d argue that France have the strongest squad on paper personally.
     
  4. celtic warrior

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    No marcos alonso?
     
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  5. celtic warrior

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    The potential of that squad is * disgustingly good, * littered with young talent.

    Could see the likes of mbappe and dembele having a stormer of a WC, I'd certainly bet on them as they won't be put ahead of Spain, Brazil or Germany
     
  6. PaulM1888 Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    It's the depth that's scary, they've got 40 and 50 million quid players that can't get a kick.
     
  7. McChiellini..

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    They have experience of winning thing's at all levels right throughout the squad as well, and obviously internationally quite a few still in the first team..

    De Gea

    Carvajal
    Pique
    Ramos
    Alba

    Busquets
    Thiago
    Saul
    Isco

    Asensio
    Morata

    Imagine that diamond next year with Asensio just off Morata. Option's off the bench as well. That's definitely a side that know's how to win a tournament..

    They surely have to go to Russia with the intent on winning the whole thing as they have the best young player's coming through on the planet..

    I just have a feeling that know how will ultimately cost them this time..

    Varane/Kimpembe, Rabiot/Dembele and Mbappe, even Griezmann a bit older at the spine will win something for the French. Certainty..
     
  8. ILoveTheCeltic

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    I think their main problem will be they have a lot of mistake prone or inconsistant players throughout their team Varane, Umtiti, the left-backs, Pogba, Matuidi, Coman, Lemar, Dembele, Payet, Martial even Giroud they don't seem to have found the right balance so far.

    Their most realiable performers are probably Sidebe, Kante, Griezmann and Giroud.

    I think Kante functions better when he has someone behind him but France play him as the main sitting player. Upfront also they don't seem to have a good balance of players a bit like Argentina they have quality but they don't really gel well, Griezmann performs best off a striker but if they do that then Pogba gets hampered a bit in his natural role, it also means that their wide players need to do more defending as if Griezmann plays behind a striker then they'll probably go with a 2-man midfield.

    Their other option is to use Griezmann in a wide position and play a 3-man midfield but going for a 4-3-3 type then Giroud who does a good job for them isn't ideal through the middle due to his lack of pace, opposition teams will find it easy to pass around him.

    Benzema would add a lot to them but I doubt they'll choose him I think he was binned for off the park scandals.

    If I was France i'd go for this

    Lloris
    Sidebe Varane Umtiti Mendy
    Tolisso
    Kante Rabiot
    Pogba
    Griezmann
    Mbappe
    But I think they will go for something with wide players and Giroud up front since he's done well but I think he's only done well since he's the only one who can do a job the way they play which probably isn't the best way they can play and they will play Kante and Pogba in a midfield 2.
     
  9. PaulM1888 Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    As big a dumpling as Sissoko has been for Spurs he was a monster at the Euros for France.

    If it were me I'd personally play Payet before Pogba, who is the most over rated player in World football.

    My team would be;

    Lloris
    Sidibe Varane Umtiti Mendy
    Kante Rabiot
    Payet
    Mbappe Griezmann Dembele​

    Then guys like; Bakayoko, Lemar, Pogba, Coman, Lacazette, Gameiro, Fekir, Digne, Tolisso all on the bench.
     
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  10. McChiellini..

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    Lemar is one of their best player's..

    They have to try and get him involved in that side..

    I'd maybe drop someone like Payet(as terrific as he can be as he showed last tournament) , play Dembele in the 10 and have Lemar out left..
     
  11. PaulM1888 Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Not seen much of Payet since going to France obviously but if it’s the same Payet from the Euros he has to play IMO.

    One of the few players that has Luboesque type natural ability.
     
  12. The Prof Administrator Administrator

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    Cracking hat trick from the wee man. :notworthy
     
  13. celtic warrior

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    Could see France try 3 at the back in all fairness come the WC.

    Would allow them to then pair Kante and Matuidi as extra defensive cover, but really let loose upfront with the likes of mbappe, Lemar, Dembele and Griezman.

    Lloris
    Varane Umtiti kosh
    Kante matuidi
    Dembele griezman mbappe
    Lacabludclatzzet
    Massive call to drop pogba but that would do well I think
     
  14. McChiellini..

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    Supposedly a mixed bag by all accounts..

    Been injured and not reached the heights he had at West Ham and for France..

    Another downfall for the French is if PlayStation Pogba is fit, he'll start every game for them next year. A real liability..

    They certainly shouldn't start with Lacazette up top either, or Giroud..

    Mbappe down the middle all the way would terrorise team's with the quality of player beside and behind him..
     
  15. celtic warrior

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    * it then, let the Dembeltion go worldwide then, let the Mouss loose.
     
  16. Miles Platting Irish Mancunian Gold Member

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    This is fantastic, football * *.

     
  17. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

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    Don't think Payet should be near their team.

    He had an absolutely outstanding season a couple of years ago but hasn't hit anywhere near those heights since.

    A front 4 of...

    Dembele Griezmann Lemar
    Mbappe​

    That has incredible potential.

    If Bakayoko and Kante keep doing the business for Chelsea I'd have those two behind the front 4.
     
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  18. McChiellini..

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    Frightening..

    As ILTC said earlier. If only they could take Benzema with them as well..

    Another phenomenal player up top who I massively have always rated. I just checked his wiki as I was sure he was about 31 or so but he's still only 29. Wow!.

    If they have any savvy. They'll make amends over that fiasco and get him on the flight..
     
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  19. Seosamh Máirtín

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    Payet won't get a look in with Lemar or Mbappe playing wide left. Nor should he as he's been guff for the past two years.

    My money is on Germany. We'll see. France and Spain won't be far away.
     
  20. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

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    Brazil, Spain or Germany.

    France are immense going forward but Deschamps...I think he's clueless. France are worse than the sum of their parts.