GARY LINEKER BELIEVES France have a strong enough squad to challenge alongside Germany and Brazi at the 2018 World Cup.
The former England striker will host the draw for the group stage of the tournament in Russia, where the Three Lions could be paired with one of Germany, France, Brazil, Portugal, Belgium and Argentina.
But with the likes of N’Golo Kante and Kylian Mbappe at Didier Deschamps’ disposal, Lineker sees Les Bleus as real contenders.
“It’s probably going to be the usual suspects: Brazil and Germany,” he told FIFA’s website. ”You can’t rule them out, as history shows that they’ve always been successful.
“Spain will be competitive again, but if I had to pick a team right now, for the squad they have, then I’d go for France. Look at the players they’ve got: a good goalkeeper, a very strong defence and a very talented midfield. Kante is amazing! Up front they’ve got Mbappe, who’s a potential superstar. They’re in great shape and they’ll be right in the mix for sure.
Although Lineker sees a bright future for an England side that finished top of their qualifying group and drew with both Germany and Brazil in their most recent games, he does not expect a great deal of Gareth Southgate’s side next year.
“I don’t think they’re among the favourites this time. We haven’t been for a while in fact,” he added. ”We’ve got some talented players coming through, some very good young players, though next year is maybe going to come a bit too soon for them.
“They’ve had a lot of success at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups, but I don’t think it’s their time yet, though you never know.
“We’ll be competitive at this World Cup, which hasn’t been the case with us in recent times.”
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Headline should read: Gary Lineker states the obvious.
@adrian brogan: obvious to us yes but lineker has always been an eternal optimist when it comes to england.
The way Argentina struggled to just about qualify and Messi who will want to finally do what has always alluded him, leads me to believe that this will be Argentina’s WC.
@GITBTSWORDS: I think manager needs to step up and make changes, to have a chance they need to start Icardi and dybala along with Messi, would be an unstoppable trio.
Kante has hit his peak already, Two very good seasons, So so this year!!
@Ciarán: bullshit hes still only 26 and he was out for 6 weeks injured, you obviously don’t watch any chelsea games cause if you did you wouldn’t make that comment. Did you watch chelsea v united? He was the best midfielder on the park by a mile!!!
France come with one caveat…..
They also have an uncanny ability to row with each other and cock it all up… the Benzema affair wasn’t all that long ago….
They need zero camp rows if they go all the way…
World cups are not predicted by just looking at who has the best players on paper…
Germany will kick up a few gears as will Brazil….
France, Germany and Brazil all have a decent shout, I wouldn’t completely rule out Belgium or Argentina either but I reckon Spain are the real deal.
I saw them play Italy a few months back and although we have seen that Italy are pretty poor, Spain tore them to shreds. The last few years they relied on Xavi and iniesta but with Isco, Thiago and Morata they have a new breed of superstars. They are also coming in under the radar in comparison to France, Brazil and even Belgium are being talked about more!
Brazil @ 5/1 .Get your coppers on it .
It will be either Germany, Brazil, France,Portugal, Spain or Argentina….