France: World Cup player by player

Holders France start the defence of their World Cup trophy in Seoul against Senegal today and here is an analysis of their 23-man squad.

GOALKEEPERS

FABIAN BARTHEZ

The star goalkeeper for Manchester United, Barthez is a French icon and a frequent fixture on the gossip pages. He is used to spending quite a long time out of the action in a match due to the good defence that the last two French coaches have built in front of him but when called upon makes the difference between victory and defeat. If Barthez repeats his excellent World Cup winning form then France could well defend their title.

Technically inventive and moody. He was the highest paid player in French football and has come close to doubling that salary with his move to United. A Monaco resident, he was accused of match fixing by his coach in April 2000 which he angrily denied. Four years ago he served a two month ban from the game for smoking cannabis.

ULRICH RAME

Third choice goalkeeper who will be extremely lucky to make an appearance this summer but that is no reflection on his abilities. Rame has quick reflexes and is very agile but eschews the flashy showbusiness "Look at me I'm a star!" elements of Barthez' style. Helped Bordeaux to the French title last season.

GREGORY COUPET

Helped Lyon the championship and has a strong all-round game but lacks Barthez' showmanship or ball skills. It is undecided if Coupet or Rame is the real understudy to Barthez but the excellent form of Nantes' Mickael Landreau could oust Coupet from the French squad after the finals.

DEFENDERS

PHILIPPE CHRISTANVAL

A late introduction into a settled squad, Christanval has been a regular for FC Barcelona since his transfer last year and is a tidy central defender who can clear the ball, is good in the air and can also set up play.

MIKAEL SILVESTRE

A questionable choice and prone to defensive lapses although he is fast and can be used in central defence but is more likely to be chosen on the left side of defence. Positionally poor at times and patchy form at Manchester United has helped to contribute to their defensive problems. The more technical environment at the finals may suit his game better.

WILLY SAGNOL

Reliable Bayern Munich right back who can also play in midfield. He is a good attacker on the wing and crosses well for the strikers but his best asset for the team is his stamina and determined tackling and he is often used to oppose the more talented players the French team comes up against.

BIXENTE LIZARAZU

Very fast wing-back who can easily fit into more traditional defensive roles in a back four. A tough tackler who provides a constant good service to the players ahead of him in the national side. Lizarazu has been known to push further upfield but is most comfortable back in defence. A good left foot but is not known to have a tremendous shot as he uses his skill for the good of the defensive unit and is essential to Bayern Munich's success. He continues to have English lessons.

LILIAN THURAM

Excellent positional awareness and reading of the game means that he only has to use his express speed against the very best in the world in Serie A where he plays for champions Juventus. Comfortable at either right side of defence or in the centre, Thuram is a great timer of the tackle and he will be seen as the next true defensive great if he expresses himself more with his passing. Still loved in France for two goals in the World Cup semi final he is a serious transfer target for Manchester United this summer.

MARCEL DESAILLY

A giant in the defence for Chelsea and France with a style of nicking the ball away from attackers. Despite his size his game is not overtly physical and he has a good disciplinary record. Now stays firmly in defence unlike his AC Milan days where he was positioned in centre midfield. Scores very rarely but a very intimidating player to meet in defence with his speed and agility often seeing off attackers.

VINCENT CANDELA

A star for Southern Italian giants AS Roma, Candela has played himself into contention with his speed, agility and defensive awareness. The fact that coach Lemerre can choose between this player and Bixente Lizarazu at left back shows how strong the French squad is for the finals.

A player who will fit well into any defensive plan from Lemerre, this adventurous player could play an increasingly important role in the challenge for the title. A good crosser of the ball who may be encouraged to advance further for the national side than he does for his club.

FRANK LEBOEUF

He had his critics as a defender for Chelsea but his passing ability is astonishing and massive raking passes through to the wings will be a feature of his contribution to the French team. In a really tough game against good opposition his defensive frailties spring up as if from nowhere and he can mistime tackles, avoid headers and fluff clearances and back passes. He is set to retire from the team in July.

MIDFIELDERS

EMMANUEL PETIT

Petit shows some sublime skills in midfield has great vision and is an excellent passer of the ball. Petit had a fantastic World Cup and there is no reason why he should not do the same during the title defence and his partnership with Patrick Vieira is the solid base for the French team to work from.

PATRICK VIEIRA

Temperamental midfielder who is a formidable physical force in midfield and has grown up into a regular for his country. Very long legs that pass the ball well after winning tackles that others cannot. His game is built on confrontation and antagonism and is a transfer target for Juventus this summer. A former youth player with Milan who is calmer for the French team and a real leader who faces his native Senegal in the opening game.

CLAUDE MAKELELE

A likely substitute but works very well alongside Vieira and Zidane. Midfield instigator who works hard for the creative types around him. Great ball-winner.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Exceptional control and balance, respectable finishing ability and mazy runs. Uses his talent to allow others to score and is the key creative influence for club and country.

An unexpressive and quite introspective player who just gets on with his game and lets his football do the talking. Identified by Michel Platini as the last truly creative player left at his level and one of the true greats to emerge in the last decade.

JOHAN MICOUD

Powerful midfield presence relatively new to the French squad. Micoud is also very versatile in midfield and likes to push up into attack when he sees the chance. He has very good passing skills and could yet become a regular. He will play for Parma AC next season.

YOURI DJORKAEFF

A midfielder or forward whose father Jean played full back for France in the 1966 World Cup finals. Quick and inventive with excellent technique and a devastating shot. He should perhaps score more goals but does lots of unheralded chasing and tackling for his side and is well aware of his defensive responsibilities.

Part of the squad rather than a glory hunter, he represents a potent weapon in the armoury of the French. Now playing on loan at Bolton.

ALAIN BOGHOSSIAN

Midfielder who has impressed at Parma this season. A constructive passer of the ball who tackles well and will hold in front of the defence to protect them when Zidane advances. Links play very well and wins tackles.

STRIKERS

SYLVAIN WILTORD

Worth his place in the squad for good control and speed, he hits good clean shots with either foot. He plays well for the team when he gets the chance and is more direct and powerful than most French strikers. Given the choice he likes to attack from wide positions.

DAVID TREZEGUET

He was born in France but moved to Argentina when was a boy where he learned to play football. A star for Juventus in their championship season this year he is a tall and elegant striker who shows some of the talent which Andriy Shevchenko turned into goals at Milan. He is a super player and non-stop runner. He can work with both feet and his dribbling his amazing and he could lead France to greatness again soon.

CHRISTOPHE DUGARRY

OM, Milan and Barca fans all have tales to tell of horror misses by this scruffy forward who failed a dope test for steroids two years ago. Now he is back in Bordeaux and has been working hard for the last few months to keep his place in the first team after recovering from knee surgery. Now more of a midfielder, not too fast a can only shoot with one foot and his heading ability is the best part of an over rated game.

THIERRY HENRY

Henry is not a regular scorer at international level but has found great attacking form this season for Arsenal with 33 goals and helped the London club to a domestic double. Henry is a talented and quick player whose shooting and dribbling are simply amazing but he really does need to translate his new found confidence into goals at international level. Lemerre may play him wide in midfield rather than place him at the front of attacking moves.

DJIBRIL CISSE

The queue to sign him starts here with AS Roma, Juventus and Liverpool ardent fans of the 22-goal top scorer in the French first division this season, Cisse has denied talks are taking place with either club and says he wants to stay at Auxerre for one more season but a good World Cup - he has been chosen by Lemerre ahead of Nicolas Anelka - will see bids come in for fast and confident finisher. In a predictable and worthy squad, Cisse offers the only real gamble but he is rated as a future star and has a good all-round game for playing up front.