Return of Le King

France are on fire. Unbeaten in 20 games, sailing through Euro 2012 qualifying and culminating in 2 victories last week. The first was a tremendous comeback from 2-1 down with 85 mins on the clock to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Franck Ribery and the magnificent Adil Rami. The second was a bit more straightforward. A 2-0 victory against Serbia. Ribery, back on goal scoring form, got the first and forgotten Chelsea man Florent Malouda made the game safe.

These two victories were hardly against world class opposition but when you compare the France of now to the class of 2010 you can see a massive difference. France were embarrassed and embarrassing in South Africa. Infighting, petulance, baffling coaching and player decisions culminating in a Patrice Evra led boycott of a training session as a result of perceived harsh treatment of notorious model pupil Nicolas Anelka. They of course finished bottom of a group containing Uruguay, hosts South Africa and Mexico notching up a solitary point and goal in the process.

Laurent Blanc had already been approached to take over from Raymond Domenech and his first act as coach sent shockwaves through the country whilst simultaneously providing the foundations for the future.

Blanc dropped every single player present at the World Cup for his first match against Norway as a punishment for their behaviour. In doing so he gave the following players (amongst others) their national team debuts.

Mathieu Debuchy, Adil Rami, Mahamadou Sakho, Yohan Cabaye and Jeremy Menez.

All have since became household names in Europe with Cabaye being the most well known in this country die to his magnificent debut season with Newcastle. Blanc, in effect, did what Villas-Boas failed to do with Chelsea. He completely overhauled the squad reducing the average age but the difference was Blanc had the experience and backing to complete this.

There's an argument that Blanc was the only man for the job after South Africa. A French sporting hero, the captain of France's historic World Cup 98 and Euro 2000 triumphs. He had also just finished a 3 year stint as head coach of Bordeaux delivering Ligue 1 and both cups to Les Girondins in 2008/09. This was Bordeaux first league victory since 1999.

It hasn't all been plain sailing for Blanc, especially with the murky race row which threatened to derail France just at a time when they seemed to be getting it together.

Laurent Blanc, Zidane & Desailly - France 1998

Euro 2012 line up

As I mentioned, France have undertaken a pretty sizable squad overhaul on international terms and in a Euro 2012 group with England, Ukraine and Sweden look favourites to finish in first place.

They play a 4-2-3-1 which is now widely recognised as the standard formation for European clubs (complete with double midfield pivot).

In goals they have their captain Hugo Lloris (the captaincy was not returned to Evra post South Africa).

Their defence pretty much picks itself due to Bacary Sagna's injury. I expect them to line up with Man Utd and Liverpool target Debuchy at right back and Evra on the other flank. In the centre, the ever impressive Rami should pair up with Mexes. Personally I feel Koscielny is the player in form and a future first pick partner for Rami but Mexes has the experience and gets the nod this time round.

Arsenal target Yann M'Vila

In front of them we have a familiar name and one we may be seeing more and more next season. Yohan Cabaye and Yann M'Vila (provided he recovers from injury in time). They are a classic double pivot. Cabaye is the playmaker or regista while M'Vila is a classic holding midfielder with a fantastic eye for a pass. The double pivot will allow Evra and Debuchy licence to roam forward unrestrained and double up with their midfield counterparts.

              
As with most teams, the attackers get the most headlines and consequently generate the most debate.

Oliver Giroud and errr..Mathieu Debucy

Further up the field I would play Ribery, Nasri and Benzema as a 3 behind Olivier Giroud. Giroud has been fantastic this season in Montpelliers fantastic Ligue 1 winning season. This is the tournament where he could explode onto the scene and get a move to a big club abroad. Benzema and Nasri are also coming into the finals on the back of hugely successful domestic seasons so confidence should be sky high.

With the talent France have at their disposal I feel it's a disservice to class them as a dark horse in this tournament. They should always be aiming to reach semi finals and finals of major tournaments but after the trials and tribulations of South Africa, less is expected of them. It's under this type of relatively pressure free environment where promising teams can become great.

I mentioned earlier that Iceland and Serbia were hardly world class opposition. During this 20 game unbeaten run France have also turned over England, Germany and Brazil. We'll find out over the next couple of weeks whether they can perform when it really matters.