When Patrick Vieira made his January moved from Internazionale to Manchester City, France coach Raymond Domenech had said playing time could move the 107-time capped midfielder back into the picture for Les Blues.
France’s 2010 World Cup Provisional Roster: Vieira, Benzema Left Out Of Les Blues Squad
With today’s announcement of France’s 30-man provisional squad for June’s World Cup, it appears Vieira’s move was not enough.
The former Arsenal captain was not in the list released by the French Football Federation on Tuesday, nor was Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who has been at the center of scandal in France while seeing little playing time in Spain.
Benzema has been linked with an underage prostitution claim in Paris, as have Sidney Govou, Franck Ribery and Hatem Ben Arfa, all of whom were named to the team.
Those three are joined amongst the forward corps by Nicolas Anelka, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Thierry Henry, all regular selections for Domenech. France has also recalled Jimmy Briand and uncapped Mathieu Valbuena, with Djibril Cisse, the leading scorer in Greece, being called-in for the first time since before the 2008 European Championships.
The midfield features the likes of Yoann Gourcuff, Jeremy Toulalan, and Florent Malouda. They will be joined by Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra and Lassana Diarra, with Yann Mvila getting his first recall into the set-up.
In defense, William Gallas has been called-in despite a prolonged absence for Arsenal. He will be joined by regular national team selections Eric Abidal, Bacary Sagna, Patrice Evra, Gael Clichy, Anthony Revellieve and Sebastien Squillaci. Bordeaux’s Marc Planus was also named, as was Lille’s Adil Rami.
Hugo Lloris is Domenech’s number one goalkeeper, with Steve Mandanda, Cedric Carrasso and Mickael Landreau rounding-out the squad.
France will play two friendlies before having to trim their squad to 23 on June 1: May 26 against Costa Rica and May 30 against Tunisia.
France National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Mickael Landreau (Lille)
Hugo Lloris (Lyon)
Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders
Eric Ábidal (Barcelona)
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Patrice Evra (Mancheester United)
Rod Fanni (Rennes)
William Gallas (Arsenal)
Marc Planus (Bordeaux)
Adil Rami (Lille)
Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)(br /> Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)
Midfielders
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
Alou Diarra (Bordeaux)
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Yann Mvila (Rennes)
Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Forwards
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille)
Jimmy Briand (Rennes)
Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos)
Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse)
Sidney Govou (Lyon)
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Matheieu Valbeuna (Marseille)
See More:
