Patrice Evra vs Gael Clichy: Who should start for Les Bleus in their crucial World Cup Playoffs?

This weekend Didier Deschamps and the French national team take on Ukraine in the two-legged World Cup play-off for a place in Brazil next summer. Never far from controversy the French would quite like a smooth, scandal free build up to Friday’s first leg. Patrice Evra was recently interviewed on French TV program Telefoot and his no-holds-barred revelations led to the Manchester United left-back being called in front of the French Football Federation and his position in the squad was once again brought into question.

Evra’s performances and attitude for les Bleus have constantly been brought to attention and many believe he shouldn’t be part of Deschamps squad, never mind the first-choice left-back. Manchester City’s Gael Clichy is the other option in the squad, with Paris Saint-Germain youngster Lucas Digne continuing to develop in the Under-21s. For Deschamps and France this position has been of vital importance to recent results.

Gael Clichy started in the difficult away qualifier against Belarus but Evra has started the two previous games, both have yet to convince for the national team, but for their club sides, one player stands head and shoulders above the other.

Standing over in the blue corner, it seems strange that Clichy should gain such a claim for the starting spot on Friday night, he has struggled to assert himself in the Manchester City team this season, starting only five of the 11 league games so far. In all competitions he has played in three of the last five, although Aleksandr Kolarov started in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland this weekend.

Over his five starts he has scored only 76 points on the Squawka performance index, outscored by Kolarov on 135 points this season. For France it is expected for the full-backs to get forward and provide extra width with the forwards often coming inside, for all of Clichy’s ability to get forward there seems to be very little in the way of end product, he has only made five key passes and has yet to even have one shot in any game.

Clichy’s season so far

Defensively Clichy is also unconvincing, he has averaged five defensive actions per game, has only completed 10/13 tackles this season, making 21 clearances and eight interceptions. It is clear to see why Kolarov has started slight more games than the former Arsenal full-back.

For all the pace he possesses, the 28-year-old has only attempted four takes-ons so far, being successful in three of them. This season he has completed 259 general passes and 15 long balls with an 88% pass completion rate. Last season he only managed two assists and 16 key passes in 28 appearances. At least for Manchester City, Clichy is not the best attacking option that France could call upon.

Although four years Clichy’s elder, over in the red corner, Patrice Evra is ahead of his rival in nearly every category. He has made 10 appearances this season and is away ahead of Clichy on the Squawka performance index with a score of 241 points.

He hasn’t found the net yet but he has had four shots on goal. Going forward he has been much more productive, making 14 key passes and providing two assists so far this season. Although his take on percentage is down at 55% he has at least had more attempts, 11/20 so far this season. He is on course to better last season’s five assists and 19 key passes. He may be getting to the twilight of his career but his productivity is increasing.

Evra’s season so far

The biggest criticism of Evra’s performances for France has been in the defensive area but there are no signs of any issues for Manchester United. He is averaging eight defensive actions per game, three more than Clichy, making 65 clearances and 10 interceptions and he has won 21 out of 27 tackles.

Evra’s duel success this season

Clichy’s duel success this season

In the battle between Evra and Clichy there is a clear winner. French fans may have doubts over Evra’s attitude and his performances when he pulls on the national team jersey, but all Deschamps can really do is judge a player on his club form, and in that category Evra is performing well, and much better than his Manchester rival.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Digne may be the future of the French national team, but for now there is no reason to doubt Evra’s abilities and there is no footballing reason that he shouldn’t line up on the left of the defence against Ukraine this weekend.