ADVERTISEMENT

French midfielder urges Deschamps to quit because France's play was ugly

Hatem Ben Arfa wants Didier Deschamps to resign as coach of France because they played ugly to emerge as the champions of the world

The 15-cap France international branded Deschamps' style of football ugly and cynical.

And Ben Arfa maintained the former Chelsea midfielder's departure would enable the national team to play with more freedom.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ben Arfa has just been released after two years with Paris Saint-Germain. He spent four seasons at Newcastle, and also had a spell on loan to Hull City.

Ben Arfa wrote: "It would be dangerous for France to hide behind this second World Cup win and make the team's style into a reference point.

"You can't hide the fact that the French team's ultra-cynical style is pretty ugly.

"I don't want it to become the norm at club academies, because people often try to copy the latest World Cup winners.

"Of course I recognise that their method is very efficient and applied well. Les Bleus are gamblers, who bank above all on their opponents making mistakes.

ADVERTISEMENT

"They exploit the slightest error to punish them. It is not often spectacular, but it is efficient.

"But given the strengths we have at our disposal we ought to be a lot bolder - and less like chameleons.

"Knowing some of the France players as I do, I know they don't care a damn for the current way. They would not be against a change of style.

"I take my hat off to Mr Deschamps. But in his place I would bow out at the top - a bit like Zinedine Zidane with Real Madrid.

"That way his successor could exploit the team's skill potential, and free up the exciting youngsters to play the beautiful game the way Brazil do.

ADVERTISEMENT

"In that case we could enjoy following France for more than just their results.

"I know that my comments may shock some people at this time of celebration, and I'll be seen as a killjoy.

"But I don't care.

Credit: TheSun

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT