Partick Vieira says France coach Didier Deschamps is right to take a risk on injury doubt Franck Ribery for Les Bleus’ World Cup campaign.
Ribery has been suffering from a niggling back injury and has missed both of France’s first two friendly games. The Bayern Munich ace is also a doubt to feature in France’s final friendly game against Jamaica on Sunday.
Vieira spoke on the RMC Radio show “Luis Attaque“, hosted by Les Bleus legend Luis Fernandez, to discuss concerns around Frank Ribery’s fitness.
It’s a situation the former Arsenal captain knows well from his 12 years and 107 caps for the national team.
Coach Roger Lemerre gambled on Zinedine Zidane at the 2002 World Cup, but it backfired as the defending champions crashed out, bottom of their group. Vieira, himself, was in a similar situation during the 2008 Euros but the former Arsenal midfielder failed to recover in time to play as France again left the tournament without a win to their name.
Despite the former French international’s experiences, he is adamant Ribery is worth the risk.
“Given his importance vis-à-vis the team, we have to bring him,” Vieria told Fernandez on RMC.
“We have to gamble on Franck and hope that it [the injury] will get better.
“Honestly it will depend on [Karim] Benzema and Ribery,” Vieira said on Les Bleus’ World Cup chances. “If both are at their peak, I believe France have a great chance to go far.”
Vieira went on to discuss the rest of the Les Blues’ squad, saying, “The team’s greatest strength is its midfield.
“Tactically it is very intelligent, physically it is powerful, and technically gifted as well with the likes of [Paul] Pogba, [Yohan] Cabaye and [Blaise] Matuidi.”
The 37-year-old further expounded on Paul Pogba’s potential, considering him as one of the young pillars of this French team.
“He is one of the great players of tomorrow, one of the greats for France’s future. He can do everything on the field and nothing scares him.
“Plus he is at a club [Juventus] where he will only improve and really become one of the best.”
