The underlying data backs up Les Bleus' terrifying attack. But the defence and midfield isn't as strong as you might expect.
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba and Real Madrid’s latest signing Ibrahima Konate don’t get into France‘s best XI if we’re going purely on the underlying statistics.
Many people are tipping Les Bleus to go all the way at the 2026 World Cup, such is the special talent at Deschamps’ disposal. But forget the superstar names, who would start for them purely on merit?
Data firm WhoScored claim their ratings “are considered to be the most accurate, respected and well-known performance indicators in the world of football” – we’ll take their word for it and consider them the oracle of judging which French players have performed best over the past year.
