La Zizanie

There is an episode of the beloved Astérix series called "La Zizanie."  The name of the episode in English is "The Roman Agent" because there's no translation for it, but here's what it means: discord, specifically discord put into motion by one person, a trouble-maker who sows resentment and makes people turn against one-another.

Well that's what's going on in the French national team, and the culprit was—once again—Nicolas Anelka.  The man is poison. Everywhere he has gone be it Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain, and several times on the French national team, he has wreaked havoc, creating endless drama.  There is no doubt he's extremely talented and it seemed he had matured since establishing himself as one of the best players in the Premiership with Chelsea.  So he was called back to the French national team, again.  But this time he destroyed the team's chances in its match against Mexico, playing an awful first half and then blowing up at the coach in the locker room at half-time, creating a row complete with the drama of there being a "traitor" according to the team captain, whoever it was that leaked the incident to the press. It was evident on the pitch even, in the match against Uruguay where he failed to pass to a good ball to an open Gourcuff.  It then turns out that there was some disdain from Anelka toward Gourcuff in training and even in the R&R times.  Word is Anelka insisted Gourcuff be dropped from the lineup for the Mexico match, and indeed he was.  Crazy.

Thankfully Anelka has been sent home but the way the team has imploded after this incident is indicative of how weak this team is, in all respects.  Captain Patrice Evra has failed to bring solidarity to the team.  Coach Raymond Domenech has failed to keep control and has validated all the criticism he's received over his tactics.  Members of the training staff have resigned, and so should Domenech.  Give the reigns over to the assistant, whoever that is, for the South Africa match.  And fire all the big club players who haven't shown up.  I don't ever want to see Malouda or Ribéry in bleu ever again, even if they are two of the best players in the world.  Evra and Gourcuff, whatever their role in this mess, are damaged beyond repair and can never play for France again.  All these players are in the prime of their careers but so be it.  Reinstall Thierry Henry as captain for the last match, his last hurrah, and play all the home-based subs, maybe they'll actually play with some conviction.  Not that it matters because it'll take a miracle for France to advance even if they manage to beat the hosts in their last match, since Mexico and Uruguay would actually have to try to win their match which is doubtful since a draw will ensure both their advance.  I doubt they'll put that in jeopardy, even if Mexico would rather avoid Argentina in the round-of-16.

Good riddance to the French from South Africa, the tournament will be better for it.  The Laurent Blanc era cannot start soon enough and I hope he feels the same way I do about the personnel. I'm ashamed of my team, I don't recognize the team I loved in 1998 and 2000.