Can France survive without Karim Benzema at Euro 2016?

Despite admittedly arriving as one of the standout centre-forwards of the modern era – and not to mention a major transfer target for the Premier League’s big boys with every passing window – Karim Benzema seemingly won’t be part of France’s stint at Euro 2016 this summer.

 

That’s the story several influential European newspapers have gone with at least, in light of the 27-year-old’s alleged involvement in a recent blackmail case surrounding the not-so-personal life of teammate, Mathieu Valbuena.

 

The current Real Madrid striker would obviously go down as a big miss for Didier Deschamps’ side, but as the French Football Federation are nonetheless looking to take a strong stance in this particular instance, Benzema’s future on the international scene remains highly in doubt.

 

So, with all things duly taken into account on the matter – can France really cope without their marque front-man doing the business for them at Euro 2016?

 

Well, as the French certainly have a somewhat tainted reputation in regards to squad harmony and behind the scenes issues, this specific case ultimately feels rather unsurprising. The 2010 World Cup proved an absolute disaster for Les Bleus after several training ground incidents involving Nicolas Anelka amongst others – and since then, France have evidently failed to iron out all their respective off-field issues going into next summer’s finals.

 

Without Karim Benzema on board, things will invariably look much tougher on the surface. The French national side seemingly looked incomplete throughout the duration of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for although all the required technical ability was certainly still in place, Didier Deschamps’ outfit just weren’t the same team without Franck Ribery among the action. The seemed to miss that elusive special factor.

 

Nonetheless, as the current Bayern Munich winger hasn’t featured a great deal at any level since last year, France simply had to move on with their own affairs in the end. The same line of principal could therefore be adopted once more in light of Karim Benzema’s proposed absence from the tournament.

 

However, even though such a frustrating outcome may in-fact prove necessary come the culmination of the current campaign, Deschamps’ remaining options might need a little work with all things considered. Both Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac fail to represent the level of quality worthy of filling the void left by Benzema – and although the recent resurrection of Hatem Ben Arfa has most definitely been a positive this season in Ligue 1 – the former Newcastle man is a midfielder first and foremost, not an out-in-out striker.

 

Euro 2016 may then call for a slight readjustment among the current French squad. Given the recent emergence of both Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial in recent seasons, perhaps Deschamps should look to play two up-top next summer, whilst allowing a combination of Ben Arfa, Griezmann, Pogba or West Ham’s Dimitri Payet to work their magic just behind.

 

The likes of Gignac and Giroud could subsequently make an impact from the bench ideally, leaving their manager with a whole host of different approaches and styles to opt for within the attacking areas of the pitch. France simply won't lose their overall threat just because Karim Benzema is missing.

 

At the end of the day, this particular Euro 2016 preview predicts the French to enjoy the competition next summer regardless of what the courts decide to offer their first choice front-man. On the back of the recent injustice brought about by the Paris attacks alone – Didier Deschamps’ side will have the entire nation behind them as they operate on home soil next summer.

 

As Les Bleus will likely thrive at the tournament one way or another – with many of their current players more than capable of stepping up to the plate – the loss of Karim Benzema ultimately doesn’t mean France can’t yet prove successful at Euro 2016.