France news

Blanc admits midfield concerns

Lack of experience in the centre an issue

ESPN staff

Laurent Blanc is concerned over his midfield© PA

France coach Laurent Blanc has admitted he has not made up his mind over which midfielders he will play at Euro 2012.


Blanc has turned the French side around after the acrimonious departure of Raymond Domenech after the 2010 World Cup and has led them on an 18 game unbeaten run. However, the former Bordeaux manager has a selection problem in midfield and insists that places are up for grabs.


"My final hesitations regard a sector that has been a longstanding problem for us: the heart of the play, and where is an international tournament played and won? Here, at the heart of the game," he stated to L'Equipe.


Blanc bemoaned the fact that most of his midfielders have insufficient experience at the highest level, but will need to make his final 23 decision before the May 29 deadline.


"We suffer from a lack of hierarchy and a shortage of experienced players in midfield,” he said. “Players who have the potential to play for France are aplenty, but players who have proved they can really be part and parcel of the team are scarcer."


France have been drawn alongside England, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D of Euro 2012.

 

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