France Football Formation

Lineup (4-3-3)

Hugo Lloris · Raphael Varane · Mamadou Sakho · Mathieu Debuchy · Lucas Digne · Blaise Matuidi · Paul Pogba · Clement Grenier · Franck Ribery · Mathieu Valbuena · Karim Benzema

The 4-3-3 formation is the most commonly used in football these days because it is the most versatile. The modern game does not require more than one striker, but is instead defined by a strong holding midfield and pacy wingers that can go wide or cut inside. Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League-winning Real Madrid formation is the perfect example of this.

The Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris is the best keeper in French colors and has been for quite some time. If anyone can make a few game-winning saves, it's him. (Substitutes: Mickael Landreau, Stephane Ruffier)

The Centre-Backs: Varane and Sakho represent the pinnacle of young defenders in the French ranks. Varane has been fantastic every time he's started and Sakho is always a force to be reckoned with. In fact, France would not be in this World Cup without him. (Substitutes: Laurent Koscielny, Eliaquim Mangala)

The Full-Backs: Digne is only 20 years old, but he's been instrumental to PSG's season and has shown himself worthy to take over Patrice Evra's left-back role. Debuchy is older and more experienced in his role, and has not disappointed since replacing Anthony Reveillere at the right-back position.
(Substitutes: Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna)

The Midfielders: Paul Pogba is quite simply France's most promising player. He's been compared to Zinedine Zidane, and rightly so, with an ability to produce magic at a moment's notice and turn a game on its head as goal-scorer and playmaker. Blaise Matuidi has also been compared to an all-time French great, Claude Makelele; with incredible vision and defending capabilities, he's the best option for closing down the midfield and spurring his team forward. Clement Grenier is another young promising player like Pogba, although his season at Lyon has been marred with injuries. When healthy, he was the most important member of the squad alongside his fellow countryman Alexandre Lacazette. (Substitutes: Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko)

The Forwards: Ribery has had a complicated second half of the season, but the 31 year-old has shown time and again why he's considered the best current French player. His pace, dribbling ability, and finishing could be just what France needs to win important matches. Karim Benzema has had an excellent season at Real Madrid, forming the Champions League-winning "BBC" attacking trio with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, impressing not only with his goals but with his link-up play and passing ability. His role under Ancelotti could prove to be very effective if utilized correctly by Deschamps in the World Cup. Mathieu Valbuena's inclusion in the national squad has never made much sense on paper, but his performances for the Tricolores speak for themselves. His goals and assists have won France many matches, and it's likely that they will come in very handy in Brazil.
(Substitutes: Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud)

Allez les Bleus!