World cup injuries: A blessing in disguise???Part 2
World cup injuries: A blessing in disguise???Part 2
Frank Ribery....The reigning European best player in Europe has been ruled out of the mundial in Brazil due to a niggling back problem that saw him most part of the latter stages of Bayern's season.
The Frenchman has been in exceptional form over the past 2 years for club and country: helping his club win back to back Bundesliga titles...Uefa Champions League...Uefa Super Cup...DFB Pokal.. FIFA Club World Cup...among others he was also pivotal in his side's qualification to Brazil netting 5 goals in the process.
Ribery....almost annexed the FIFA ballon D'or: coming third to usual suspects...Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi respectively due to his fine form.
It is without doubt that Ribery with all his attacking qualities would have made mincemeat of France's world cup opponents' defence. it takes only a plaster saint to rule out such a fact.( Bribery has 15 goals and 24 assists in 76 appearances for France)
However as in the first chapter of this article...his absence I envisage will be an opportunity for other players to shine...
Here are a few attackers of the French team I tip to make a meaningful impact on the nation's world cup campaign.
Mathieu Valbuena....the attacking midfielder cum winger who turns 30 on September 24 this year....has gradually developed to be a key player for club (Marseille) and country over the years.
Nicknamed le petit vélo, (which translates to "the small bike"), because of his smallish nature, Valbuena is most notable for possessing pace in abundance, technical ability, and also has a tenacious style of play.
How special he is to his national team is reminiscent of him making his debut in May 2010( also scored on his debut against Costa Rica in a friendly encounter) and being named in France's final world cup squad in June 2010.
The player has over the course of the past 4 years has raked in 33 appearances for Les Bleus notching 5 goals and 12 assists in all..
And having worked with the player at club level coach Didier Deschamps will have no or little problems making Valbuena fill the void created by Ribery's absence.
Another player who I tip to compensate for Ribery's loss is young...enterprising attacking player, Antoine Griezmann...
The 23 year old with delectable skills and an awe-inspiring left foot has been an inspiration ever since bursting onto the scene with the French juvenile sides.
He was part of that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship on home soil.
Given his breakthrough by Spanish club Real Sociedad, Griezmann has and continues to repay that faith and belief his employers had in him.
The player's fine season in which he scored 20 goals in some 50 appearances for club side Real Sociedad has seen him being rewarded with a world cup berth for his side.
It is clearly evident that Ribery's presence would have limited Griezmann's chances meaning his absence will be would be the direct opposite.
And trust me that he will deliver when the mantle is handed to him... ( Griezmann has 3 goals in 4 appearances for his national side)
To be continued......