France set to deliver on home soil

Even without star striker Karim Benzema, Didier Deschamps’ France squad have a fantastic chance of winning the European Championship this summer.

Les Bleus will host the event in June and they are expected to do well after several years of disappointment, having been knocked out in the quarter-finals at both Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Two years ago, France were not expected to challenge but they did well before being eventually knocked out by eventual World Cup winners Germany.

Deschamps’ contract ends after this summer’s tournament and the former France captain knows exactly how to guide his team to glory.

He won the 1998 World Cup as a player on home soil before helping his team win Euro 2000. While his decision to snub Benzema has been criticised by some, France can still go all the way this summer.

At the back they have one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in Hugo Lloris, but it is their attacking threat that should grab the headlines.

Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann and Anthony Martial have all grabbed the headlines this season so far, while Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac are still in good form.

The likes of Belgium and Spain possess great talent throughout, but France’s midfield could easily dominate the tournament.

Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Dimitri Payet and N’Golo Kante are all expected to fight for a starting spot as they try to lead their country to glory.

While other teams may go into the tournament with momentum due to their qualifying campaigns, France have the backing of their home crowd on their side.

With a young squad coming through, Deschamps has the chance to lead his team to another trophy, this time as a manager.