Think they're winning this.
Hope so - got a wee wager on them at 9/1, which is a frankly ridiculously kind price given the squad they've taken.
They looked pretty good. 3 of the 4 players that make up their back four in Zouma, Umtiti, and Digne played over 60 games between them last season.
And as good as Campana and Oliver were yesterday, as well as Suso, none of them are even close to Pogba when you're talking about being the complete package. Plus, big Kondogbia looks the part alongside him too. Pogba is 6ft 2, and Kondogbia 6ft 4, and both can play too. There were spells when they were knocking the ball around for fun, but then when they got the chance to counter, those two lads were playing cracking passes and then getting on the end of them again.
Sanogo and Bahebeck look alright up front, but I certainly don't think they're anything special. I know Wenger is obsessed with this idea of buying in young French players on the cheap and then polishing them up for the market, but Sanogo is miles away from being a Premiership footballer. Not that the standard of the Premiership is that great, it's just, I don't think Sanogo is even close to being great himself. Maybe Wenger sees a bit of a young Adebayor in him, but to me he'll end up filling the squad, playing the odd cup game and then get sold in a few years time. Maybe I'm being harsh on the lad, and I'm happy to be proved wrong. Lots of games to be played in the tournament yet, nevermind the rest of his career! On French strikers though. What happened to them? Benzema is the only one. He's not been that great recently, but he is ridiculously talented, and I reckon he'll flourish under Carlo. Maybe the French were spoiled with that generation of Trezeguet, Henry, and Anelka? Heck, I reckon Deschamps would even thank you for a Wiltord type. Not quite a forward, but probably still a better one than most France can currently offer.
Spain were ok. Thought the US of A did a good job pressing them and not allowing them to settle, but then the quality of Deulofeu and Jess made the difference. Gotta say, Jese looks a great talent, but Deulofeu looks even better. Can't wait to see how Barca try to fit him in alongside Messi and Neymar in the next few years. Suso had a good game too. He does love a Charlie Adam type long pass, but then his usually find its target. He has a lovely way about him too, doesn't he? Love the way in which he knows where to turn with the ball. You constantly see him cut right across defenders and whip shots at goal. He had two decent efforts yesterday that weren't far off. One wide and the other saved. Gotta say though, I do like him playing deep. I think the key to where he ends up is whether he starts to become more comfortable in front of goal. As much as I love seeing him ping long passes from deep, it seems a shame to waste someone who is so good at dropping the shoulder and taking players on back in centre midfield. To be honest, I just love seeing him on the pitch and I hope he gets some more time this season, because it's players like Suso that make you want to watch the game.