Santini goes for youth
Monday, August 12, 2002
Article summary
Jacques Santini has named four new faces in his first France squad, promoting three Under-21 stars.
Article body
Jacques Santini called up four new players today in his first squad since replacing Roger Lemerre as France's coach after their FIFA World Cup failure.
Young blood needed
Under-21s promoted
Midfield player Bruno Cheyrou, who has just joined Liverpool FC from Lille OSC, is among the 22 players selected for the friendly game in Tunisia on 21 August. The other newcomers are Sidney Govou of Santini's former club Olympique Lyonnais and defenders Philippe Mexes and Anthony Réveillère - all luminaries of the French side which finished second in UEFA European Under-21 Championship in May.
Logical decision
Trio recalled
There are recalls for Jérémie Bréchet, his first call-up since last year's FIFA Confederations Cup, as well as Eric Carrière and Steve Marlet, who both missed out on the World Cup. Fabien Barthez, Bixente Lizarazu, David Trezeguet and Robert Pires all miss out because of injury.
Uncertain futures
Santini has not included Frank Leboeuf and strikers Youri Djorkaeff and Christophe Dugarry, who have all announced plans to retire from the international game, but he has not entirely written them off. "I have to talk with them first, just like I have to talk with Nicolas Anelka," he said. "He [Anelka] has to prove me that he is back at his best and that he deserves to be in the squad."
France squad
Coupet, Ramé, Bréchet, Candela, Christanval, Desailly, Mexes, Réveillère, Sagnol, Silvestre, Thuram, Carrière, Cheyrou, Makelele, Petit, Vieira, Zidane, Cissé, Govou, Henry, Marlet, Wiltord.
