WORLD CUP CHANCE GONE? FRANCE DISUNITED
Les Bleus legend Gallas takes pop at Pogba and Martial
FRANCE legend William Gallas fears Les Bleus have blown their World Cup chances – no thanks to Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial. Gallas was ever-present when France were losing finalists to Italy in 2006 and hopes his country’s young side go all the way in Russia. But the former Chelsea and Arsenal defender reckons Didier Deschamps’ young team will struggle to live up to their tag as one of the favourites. Gallas (right) believes forward Martial has rightfully been omitted from the squad after wasting opportunities this season. And asked if midfielder Pogba, United’s misfiring record £89million signing, could be the leader Gallas replied: “Everyone wants to see one leader, but no one wants to be the leader. Maybe it is because they are still young. “To be a leader you have to think about your performance AND the performance of your team-mate.
“You have to talk to them and it is not easy. I know that because I did not start to be a leader until I was 28-29.
“I didn’t have their quality when I was their age, but can you win the World Cup with only young players? I’m not sure.”
Gallas then turned to the subject of France’s big-name stars who did not make the squad and admitted he felt for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette after an impressive first season in England.
Sympathy
But he had no sympathy for Martial and explained: “I do not feel sorry because he had the opportunity.
“He was in the squad a few times, many times, and he missed his chance. Why? Maybe because he was not performing for all of the season.”
Gallas is predicting a summer of misery for those who DID make the plane. “As a French guy I wish they are going to win the World Cup, but I think it will be difficult because you have teams who are very strong – Spain, Germany, Brazil,” he said. “We have some good young players. They are very young and very talented and they can make the difference, but the problem is that if we play against a strong team we will be in trouble.
“We have to have more players who are going to shout on the pitch when you do not play well and at the moment we do not have that type of player.”