One thing that can be said about the French is that when they win the Euros, they win it in style and with a world class number 10 pulling the strings.

Back in 1984, it was Michel Platini who had Europe at his feet.  In what was probably the most consistently dominant performance by one individual at a European Championships, Platini scored 9 goals in 5 games, including 2 hat-tricks.  Naturally, he scored in the final against Spain as France won their first international tournament and Platini would go on to win the second of three consecutive European Player of the Year awards.  All hail Michel… and try to forget about how annoying he is now he is head of UEFA.

You would think that no country could get that lucky again.  But a mere 7 years after Platini played his last game for France, Zinedine Zidane made his debut and went on to become the pre-eminent European footballer of his generation.  At the Euros in 2000, he would be named player of the tournament (preceding his second World Player of the Year title later that year) as France beat Italy 2-1 on a golden goal in extra-time to take the title.

This time up it’s Karim Benzema who occupies the number 10 shirt.  He is apparently a much improved player under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid but he has never looked to me like a player capable of troubling lists of the best players in the world.  Luckily, supporting him he has a pretty exciting looking French team.

They look strong in midfield and up front.  Franck Ribery is one of the best wingers in the world.  Sami Nasri took a bit of time to settle at City but he was a regular by the end of the season and remains an extremely talented player.  Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohann Cabaye regularly looked like top-class players last season and Ben Arfa in particular may feel it’s about time to live up to his teenage promise when many thought he would go on to play at the very highest level.  In central midfield, they have one of the most promising midfielders in Europe in Yann M’Vila.

The problem they are most likely to have is in defence.  Phillipe Mexes has never done it for me whilst Adil Rami is big, strong but clumsy.  Patrice Evra was out of sorts all season for United.

So, therein lies the rub.  They’ve got it in them to score goals but they’re probably too weak at the back to survive against the likes of Spain, Holland or Germany.

It should be an easy 3 points in their first group game though…