The Yoann Gourcuff Generation

As I anticipated today's Champions League games, I came to the terrifying reality that the France national team is aging, and that there are really no people besides Ribéry lighting the world on fire. The issue at hand, is that the established stars of the France Team (Henry,Thuram, Trezeguet,Makelele et al) are now all pushing 30+, and the dynamic stars of the late 90s have all now passed onto a slow decline in skill and ability.

I now must turn my eyes to the up and coming possible stars of the future Equipe de France:

Yoann Gourcuff - (20 years old)

Already being called 'Petit Zizou' for over a year now, he has seen limited time since his move from Stade Rennais to AC Milan. However, he struck for AC Milan in the CL against AEK Athens with an adept header reminiscent of some of Trezeguet's most famous goals.

I will be watching for him very closely today, as with a name like Petit Zizou, he surely must be worth at least some magic.

Samir Nasri - (19)

Attacking midfielder that has done exceptionally well at Marseilles thus far, (58 apps, 17 goals). I can only wish that this Marseilles native of Algerian decent can show me some Kabilye magic reminiscent of Carré Magique. He will be a definite force to watch in the upcoming seasons in Ligue 1.


The video is about 2 years old judging by l'OM uniforms, and he seems to have a penchant for screaming 'Putain'. Definitely someone I can support.

Karim Benzema - (19)

This OL youth product has been doing some exciting things in the Ligue 1, and recently celebrated his first cap to the senior French Team against Greece, but was a scratch after developing a hamstring knock to keep him sidelined for quite sometime.

Jeremy Toulalan - (23)

Recent call up by Domenech that notched his appearance in the lopsided victory over Faroe Islands, he has developed well at OL, with his ability keeping Alou Diarra (French recent call up), on the bench while Toulalan plies his craft.

François Ribery - (19)

One can only imagine that if Franck Ribery is the scar-faced workhorse that we have seen, François must be his well polished debonair brother, replete with designer suits and a silky smooth game to match. I have not been able to track down photos/video, but its safe to assume he is type nasty.

Gilles Sunu - (16)

A recent major coup for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners, this kid is being billed as The Next Henry. He is exepected to announce in this month or next, but judging by Wenger's eye for talent (Anelka, Trezeguet, Henry) he will not fail.


This leads me to another topic, my wish and dream that Wenger takes his entire staff to Clairefontaine. He has established the Gunners in his last 11 years there as a major European force after years of sub-par years (see 'A Fever Pitch' - Nick Hornby). His eye for talent borders on the absurd and his entire organization has complete confidence in his ways. The only next logical step, is to take this passion and expertise to L'Hexagone.