Yohan Cabaye had a good game for France against Australia during the recent International break, and the 27 year-old scored a great first half goal, but then he was surprisingly left out of the starting eleven for France’s final group game against Finland, which they ended up winning 3-0 in Paris.
Yohan Cabaye in France’s colors
Alan Pardew has given an interview to the local press today, and the manager has said Yohan was disappointed he was left out of that important game for France in World Cup qualifying:
“He was left out of France’s game on Tuesday and I know he was disappointed not to start that game. The World Cup is not far away and he is inspired to show the French manager , Didier Deschamps, how good he is and I am sure he will have watched the Liverpool game and been very impressed.”
Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United youngster was preferred to Yohan against Finland, for only his third cap, and the 20 year-old, who is now at Juventus, could challenge Cabaye for the first team starting position for France in central midfield.
Of course France have many talented midfield players, and Yohan has done very well while at Newcastle to play 25 times for France with two goals in just over two years.
And France have a tough two game play-off with Ukraine that was announced yesterday, to reach the World Cup Finals in Brazil next summer, after they finished second to Spain in their group, and Ukraine finished second to England in their group.
Those two games will be played next month, and they should be a couple of matches worth watching, and it’s certainly not certain that France will qualify for Brazil next summer.
Comments welcome.
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3 comments so far
cyprus
Oct 22, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Comment #1Reposts, as ED is on fire…
They will have earmarked this as a potential first win. They are bound to win sometime. I only remember watching one game of theirs (v. Man. U) and they deserved something…
Now, having said all this, I’ve seen an improvement with our team, even Hull we should ‘ve won. So, as always, expecting a real – real tough one. And hoping that we’ll be firing on all (most?) cylinders and thus get the win.
Lil,
Legit points regarding Cisse. But, do remember what he did when he first came here, scoring some of the best goals I’ve seen by an NUFC striker. The thing is, now he must concentrate on combining and not rushing to shoot. As he showed with his national team, he can still score… It happens to the best of them, really. Shearer, Rooney, Van Basten, etc. Etoo has been missing sitters galore, I’ve watched all Chelsea games. Then he scored a cracker. Now, the flood gates will open. Cisse will (probably) come good. Don’t rush to sell with the first dip in form. Look at Ba. He truly looks crap these days, when he gets a chance. He looks like he’s finished.
Ciaran, no mate, couldn’t tell. Really, I hope there will be an impact. e.g. two top top players in January!
Spoof,
I’ll agree there. I’ve been highly critical of Cabaye, to me he looked indifferent ALL of last season, (although I remember the depression issue and appreciate its importance).
I’ve also been critical of AP (the most) since he came because we’ve played so much crap, because we can’t (‘couldn’t’, since Dummy’s goal changed this) score from set plays and because I feel he hasn’t excelled with a decent squad. Still, just when I get into the ‘get rid mode’, he and his players bring on very good displays…. As Gus showed, at least initially, change doesn’t always translate to success. So, here I am again thinking, ‘give him a few more games’!
sweendog
Oct 22, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Comment #2Cabaye is starting to show his true form .. excellent player .. just wish he didn’t have his head turned.
If only Ashley can prove to him we’re progressing by investing ..
toonincheek
Oct 22, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Comment #3I really don’t see Pogba starting ahead of Cabaye for such an important game.
Bit more experience is called for.
Interesting, though, to compare the valuations of these two players.