Picking an Under-21 XI of Potential World Cup Breakthrough Stars for France

Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane’s debuts against Georgia once again demonstrated France’s prowess when it comes to raising and then blooding youth players at a national level.

Real Madrid’s Varane has become an important member of the first team at only 19 years of age. Pogba is enjoying a first season of regular starting football having spent time on the fringes at Manchester United.

Currently France have another outstanding crop of young talent coming through, and that is being shown domestically and abroad with a number of players under the age of 21 earning rave reviews.

With Euro 2016 scheduled on home soil, Didier Deschamps has an opportunity to bring through the next generation in time for 2016.

Here is an idea of 11 players that you can expect to see in the remaining qualifiers for Brazil next year and possibly the tournament itself, as Deschamps plans ahead for the Euros.

Ali Ahamada

Though enduring a difficult period along with club side Toulouse at present, Ali Ahamada is one of France’s greatest hopes between the sticks.

Bursting onto the scene last season after starting it as a reserve goalkeeper, the 21-year-old faces plenty of competition for a potential berth in Brazil or in France over the next three years.

A regular at under-21 level but on the verge of outgrowing the side, Ahamada has a shot at the third spot in a World Cup squad behind Hugo Lloris and either Steve Mandanda or Cedric Carrasso.

However, with Saint-Etienne’s Stephane Ruffier in great form and Bastia’s veteran Mickael Landreau no longer needed as a player (though he provides valuable experience), Ahamada is next in line to make the step up.

Raphael Varane

Varane’s debut against Georgia was highly impressive and worthy of another chance against Spain come Tuesday night at the Stade de France.

The former Lens star possesses great maturity and displayed that alongside Mamadou Sakho against the Crusaders on Friday.

He too, like Ahamada, faces competition for a place in the squad for Brazil and then back home in France two years later. However, Varane has already made his breakthrough and looks more likely to keep his place in the first team from now on. 

Samuel Umtiti

Since the start of 2012, Lyon’s Samuel Umtiti has been a regular first choice for Les Gones' boss Remi Garde at centre-back.

Yet to make the breakthrough at under-21 level, surely it is only a matter of time before the strong defender starts knocking on the door for international recognition.

The Cameroonian-born French international will be a key player next season for OL if he is not already considered one. Currently he looks the most likely young defender to follow Varane into Les Bleus' senior side.

Massadio Haidara

Newcastle’s January signing from Ligue 1 strugglers Nancy has already proved that he is capable of playing regular Premier League football at the tender age of 20.

One of Pardew’s most inspired signings, Haidara is one of two rapidly ascending left-backs in France along with Lille’s Lucas Digne.

Recently made an under-21 international, Haidara’s development has been fast considering that he only made his senior debut in 2010.

That development looks set to continue with the Magpies, and recognition from Deschamps for a good spell of form before December could see him drafted into a friendly squad.

However, despite Deschamps’ preference for youth, it is unlikely that he will usurp current left-backs Gael Clichy and Patrice Evra.

Lucas Digne

The same goes for Digne, who has been earning rave reviews for Lille.

The 19-year-old’s performances for Les Dogues have demonstrated considerable maturity and he has already found himself linked with the likes of Manchester United by the Daily Mail.

Of he and Haidara, Digne crucially has more experience having played in the Champions League so perhaps has an advantage over the Newcastle man.

However, a move to the likes of the Red Devils would see his international development cool, as he would have to embrace a squad role there instead of first-team football in Lille.

Paul Pogba

Pogba’s debut against Georgia, like Varane's, was impressive in its maturity, and he also demonstrated that he is already capable of remaining a fixture in Deschamps’ current side.

Les Bleus are awash with plenty of midfield talent, but Pogba’s recent performances for Juventus in Serie A and the Champions League have been exceptional.

The 20-year-old former Manchester United star looks set to run close for a place in the squad for Brazil next year but is a near-certainty for France 2016 already.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

He could be joined by another young sensation very soon as former Lens midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has earned superlative reports from Spain thanks to his form with Sevilla this season.

Manchester City have already been credited with serious interest in the 20-year-old and it looks like we could be set to hear more from the tenacious midfielder sooner rather than later if he makes the move.

A potential future midfield pairing of Pogba and Kondogbia is appetising for Les Bleus fans, and Deschamps no doubt already has an eye on the youngster.

Adrien Rabiot

Another young star that the former OM coach won’t have been able to escape recently is Paris Saint-Germain’s talented midfielder, Adrien Rabiot.

On loan at Toulouse for the remainder of the season, the 17-year-old’s thunderbolt strike against Brest at the beginning of March was a demonstration of his considerable talent.

Carlo Ancelotti has shown how highly he rates the youngster by fielding him six times earlier in the season despite the plethora of talent at his disposal.

If Rabiot makes the step up to PSG’s first team thanks to some regular first-team action in the Pink City, international recognition won’t be far behind.

Florian Thauvin

Another youngster who has been making waves in Ligue 1 this season is Bastia’s Florian Thauvin.

At 20 years old, the attacking midfielder has already reportedly attracted interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle (via Sky Sports).

However, Thauvin made the sensible decision to join Rudi Garcia’s Lille side instead of taking a risk on a move to England at this stage.

That decision will probably lead to an expediting of his talent from youth level international football to the senior side.

Valentin Eysseric

Nice’s Valentin Eysseric had been in sensational form until a nasty tackle on Saint-Etienne’s Jeremy Clement ended his season as he was slapped with an 11-match ban.

Despite the severity of the injury to Clement and the misfortune of Eysseric to be the player who committed the tackle, his season has been a great success.

Five goals and an assist in 24 games make the 20-year-old a breakout star of this season’s campaign so far.

Although he won’t be able to play again until next season so won’t get a chance at international level until after the World Cup qualifiers, Eysseric will be on Deschamps’ mind ahead of 2016.

M’Baye Niang

AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang is already playing regularly for the Italian giants despite still only being 18 years old.

The former Caen man started the recent 4-0 thumping by Barcelona in the absence of Giampaolo Pazzini and in fact had a good opportunity to score in that match.

That demonstrates just how far he has come in the past 12 months having left Caen after barely establishing himself in Normandy.

Like a number of other potential young stars, Niang would benefit from further international football at youth level before a call-up to the senior squad.

However, if his development continues at this speed, Deschamps will be tempted to bring him into the fold sooner rather than later.

Honourable Mentions

Saint-Etienne’s Kurt Zouma, Nice’s Neal Maupay and Stephane Bahoken, Troyes’ Corentin Jean, Rennes’ Axel Ngando and Nantes’ Jordan Veretout are also contenders.

However, the six will need to develop further before they are considered for an international call-up, but nonetheless they form a part of what looks to be a bright future for Les Bleus.

With so much talent blossoming in Ligue 1 currently, Deschamps will have no shortage of quality when France reach Euro 2016.