You can’t suddenly ask them to pack their bags

You can’t suddenly ask them to pack their bags.”Christian Damiano, who was part of France’s back-room staff for the 1998 World Cup before joining Jean Tigana at Fulham almost two years ago, agrees with his prot?. “I have known Steed since he was a young teenager,” Damiano says, “and I can tell you that he is destined to do great things. For a 22-year-old, he is incredibly complete: he works hard, he’s willing to progress, and he can pass and score from central midfield. He is Fulham’s Gianfranco Zola; and one day he will be France’s new Zidane. But for now, he has no choice but to wait his turn with the national team.”While no one can argue with France’s recent results, critics of the set-up feel that too many talented Frenchmen are being denied the chance of representing their country because the old guard refuse to be budged. Ciss?s Le Championnat’s top scorer and the subject of interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, but the Auxerre striker will not go to the Far East. “The greatest concern that I have ahead of the World Cup,” Duluc says, “is that France will enter the tournament with too many players in their thirties.

If we’re not careful, we could end up with a similar situation to Germany at USA 94. That team were too old and were eliminated in the quarter-finals. So far as Lemerre’s concerned, though, it’s better to have an older and more experienced player than a young and na? one. I’m not so sure.”In many ways, it is difficult to blame the likes of Marcel Desailly, 33, Djorkaeff, 34, Christian Karembeu, 31, Bixente Lizarazu, 33, Emmanuel Petit, 32, and Frank Leboeuf, 34, for wanting to prolong the French fairytale. They were the ones who picked up the pieces after G?rd Houllier’s team failed to qualify for USA 94 They also implemented the Aim?acquet revolution. “The key players, who gave their all when things were going badly, are bound to want one more experience together,” Damiano says “They have been through so much that they want one more go. Is it a tournament too far? We will see, but I think it is clear the group will change after the summer.”Jacquet and Lemerre will primarily be remembered for discarding the more individual talents such as Eric Cantona or David Ginola, and opting instead for a strong unit “Their policy worked,” Duluc says.

“France were unbeaten for 30 matches leading up to Euro 96 and have remained incredibly difficult to break down ever since It’s the defence that won the World Cup. There was one wonderfully creative player called Zidane, but otherwise this was a solid and reliable team; not a creative and expansive one.”By Euro 2000, the new manager had introduced a little more fire-power and France were better equipped to score goals. But the reality is that they still based their success on sound defending “And luck,” Duluc insists. “Just think, apart from the 3-0 World Cup final win against Brazil, France’s last eight knockout matches have been won thanks to golden goals, penalty kicks, missed penalties, and two goals from a defender [Lilian Thuram in the semi-finals of France 98] who had never scored before and has never scored since.”Perhaps this charmed life explains why Les Bleus are so close-knit. “Even when they are a goal down with 10 seconds to play,” Duluc adds, “this generation always believe deep down they are going to win.” Until they are proved wrong, the club door will remain firmly shut.The French Disconnection Team of World Cup wannabesMickael Landreau Aged 22. Nantes goalkeeper outshone Fabien Barthez in the Champions’ League.

Support is growing for him to be No 3 at World Cup.Willy Sagnol 23. Bayern Munich right-back has been an ever-present in the German champions’ defence, but out of favour with Roger Lemerre for almost a year.Pascal Cygan 27. Marshals the airtight defence of Lille, who have been the surprise team of the French League for the last two years.Philippe Mexes 19. Defender has been the star of Auxerre’s push for domestic honours and is now widely regarded as the natural successor to Laurent Blanc.William Gallas 23. Defender took a little while to settle down at Chelsea, but is now threatening to keep the France captain, Marcel Desailly, out of the team.Sabri Lamouchi 30 The “old” man of this team. Has had a difficult season with Parma, but offers a special creative spark from midfield.Olivier Dacourt 26.