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France are putting together their final World Cup preparations knowing that they will be carrying the weight of expectation into the tournament once again this summer.
Didier Deschamps has another typically stacked squad to choose from in North America, not least in the forward positions, where he can call upon one of the international game’s most clinical attacking corps.
That forward line is led by skipper Kylian Mbappe, with Ousmane Dembele also going into this tournament as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner - but does that present Deschamps with a problem or a luxury?
Olivier Giroud on France’s fearsome front line
Olivier Giroud earned 137 international caps during a career which saw him break the all-time French goalscoring record and he is backing France’s star duo to shine on the biggest stage this summer.
“People talk about having multiple stars in a team and ask if they can work together but, listen, it’s a brilliant thing to have in a national team,” Giroud tells FourFourTwo.
“It’s also important to know that Ousmane and Kylian are very close – they love each other like brothers and they’re both great guys as well.”
Having spent 14 years playing for the French national team during which time he went to seven major tournaments, Giroud knows plenty about squad depth and he sees something special in Les Bleus’ current set-up.
“The amount of strikers that we have and the level of talent in that dressing room is fantastic,” he adds. “The offensive talent France possesses is special.”
Rather than being rivals, Giroud insists Mbappe and Dembele will work together effectively this summer.
“They can both lead the team this summer and, if we play to the level I know we can, and defend well on top of that, there’s no reason why we can’t go all the way with players like those two.”
This will be the first World Cup since 2010 that Giroud will have to suffice with watching on TV, but the quality his former strike partner possesses means it will be enjoyable regardless.
“I’m really looking forward to watching Kylian and the whole French team this summer,” he smiles.
“He’s the kind of player you meet only once in a career. He’s a very special person. I hope to see him lifting that trophy again.”
