Veteran Patrice Evra still the best bet for France at left-back

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France are blessed with several fine left-backs. Both Lucas Digne of Paris Saint-Germain and Layvin Kurzawa of AS Monaco missed on the recent international friendlies as 33-year-old Patrice Evra started in the full-back position.

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The Juventus man will be 35 by the time the European Champions roll around on home soil in 2016. However, despite his age, it’s hard to argue that he’s not France’s best option in his position right now.

Evra, of course, has the kind of experience that none of his rivals can boast of.

He has represented France at two World Cups and two Euros tournaments before, is a former captain of the national side and is a Champions League winner.

His stats in the European Cup this season also suggest that he isn’t yet redundant.

He has won, on average, 3.2 aerial battles-per-game in Europe this season and averages 2.4 tackles and 3.8 clearances-per-match [via WhoScored].

Right now, Deschamps would be foolish to turn his back on Evra.

His lack of faith in the two ‘pretenders’ for the left-back berth has also manifested itself in his desire to recall Benoit Tremoulinas, the 29-year-old Sevilla man.

Ex-Bordeaux defender Tremoulinas is a capable operator, but he is not world class—as things stand, Evra is on course to take the left-back spot for Les Bleus next summer.

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