So after their victory yesterday in the final, is there a strong argument that France will go on and dominate international football over next 4 years like they did between 98-00 and Spain did between 08-12? Few good things in their favour atm - A young squad (One would think all this squad will make the next Euros in 2 years time and in 4 years time in Qatar only Giroud and Matuidi missing out due to age) - An ability to produce top quality central defenders (Varane and Umtiti are both still very young with potentially at least another 8 years left each at international level) Plus not many other countries are producing top central defenders at present (just look at Argentina) - A lack of quality elsewhere in international football. Apart from Belgium and possibly Brazil, a lot of other national teams are now either at their peak in terms of abilty and could have a drop off in next 4 years (Croatia) or are in a rebuilding phase now (Italy, Argentina, Netherlands) or whose national teams are now suffering due to one team domination domestically (Germany) or a large portion of the players at their countries top clubs being foreign (Spain). Add to this their excellent Clarefontaine academy and young French players getting more game time at younger ages than their English counterparts which enables a consistent and continuous flow of talent to be available and i think France are well set. Willing to stick my neck out and say they will be first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the WC in Qatar in 4 years time.
The old World Champ will smash the new World Champ on Sept 6th, the first matchday of this new Nations League Competition Nah, serious: Some valid points here. France were my favourites (tbh together with Spain) before the tournament because of their immense talent in the squad. Had my doubts though, if they're mental strong enough in the latter stages of the World Cup but they've proved me wrong here. Let's see if they're really so strong that they can be the first team since Brazil 1962 to defend the title. Remember, with France 2002 the current trend started, that the actual World Champ goes out in the group stages in the following World Cup (only Brazil in 2006 was the exception)
We know they will go out at the group stage next World Cup. Team is strong though and will compete in the euros for sure. Will have to see what they do when they have to replace Giroud, could change their style a lot.
