International Friendly: England vs France

In a game which is meant to be a strong reply to the terrorist attacks on Paris, England will take on France at Wembley in a friendly. All 23 France players have travelled to London to face England in their friendly after turning down the option to withdraw following the Paris massacre.Former Les Bleus Midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was one of the 129 people killed on Friday, while forward Antoine Griezmann's sister escaped from the Bataclan theatre where 89 of those people died. Both players were involved at the time in France's friendly against Germany at the Stade de France, which was also targeted by terrorists.Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps offered his players an option to pull out of the squad, but the French Football Federation confirmed that "all the players are coming". England manager Roy Hodgson also welcomed the decision to play the match stating the "football world is united against these atrocities". The England manager Roy Hodgson has urged fans to show their support for their French counterparts at the game.“I’m sure the England team and our fans will play their part and show solidarity with our French friends on Tuesday evening and provide support for both teams during this difficult time,” he said.We look at the best combined XI from both the available squads ahead of the game at Wembley:

#1 Goalkeeper

28-year old Joe Hart will be the man to watch out for as his side takes on the grief-stricken French side. The Manchester City shot-stopper will captain his side at Wembley.

In their last game against Spain, Hart had conceded twice, but in his defence they were two spectacular goals from Spaniards Santi Cazorla and Mario Gaspar. The two goals were very much on the ‘unstoppable’ side and Hart could do no more than being a spectator.

But facing France will be a test for the goalkeeper as Giroud and Martial, along with Griezmann and company, will be a tough test for the England number one. There has also been talk in the British press of Roy Hodgson giving an opportunity to the in-form Jack Butland.

Hart will be determined to set the records straight, with a convincing performance against the high-flying French. A victory and a clean sheet for Joe Hart could also guarantee the home supporters’ faith in their side, as the defeat to Spain created question marks over England’s ability to beat the best in Europe. Hart’s ability to produce marvellous saves at crucial times in the game is also of importance as France boast of red-hot strikers in Giroud, Martial and Gignac.

The game against France will be Hart’s 57th for England and should be a proper test of Hart’s ability to lead his side against the challenge of high-profile teams and his ability to perform in the same vein when the tournament proper gets off the ground.

#2 Defence

With a great performance against World Champions Germany on Friday, Manchester City’s Bacary Sagna will be the first name on the teamsheet for the French as they look to perform well for the fans following the terror strikes.

After spending most of the time on the bench for City last season, the right-back has finally won a spot in the starting eleven, which has also helped him regain his spot in the French starting eleven. With a tough, consistent performance against the Germans, Sagna will be the man to watch out for against England.

Accompanying Sagna will be England’s Chris Smalling, who has rejuvenated his career with spectacular performances with his club side Manchester United. Smalling has been the mainstay in United’s line-up this season, keeping United's run of five games in all competitions without conceding a goal.

Smalling appears to be the man to plug gaps in the centre-back position for England that were left by some legendary names such as Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And Red Devils gaffer Louis van Gaal has even pipped the former Fulham defender to take over the captaincy at United in the future.

At the heart of the defence, Laurent Koscielny will be Smalling’s central defensive partner. The Frenchman has been in a terrific vein of form, having played with Arsenal and France regularly, missing the odd match due to injury. Koscielny, who has been described by Arsene Wenger as one of the best defenders in the world, will be adamant to prove that his place in the team should be permanent, ahead of the fellow Premier League duo of Sakho and Mangala.

The 30-year old defender has been in and out of the French starting line-up for most of his career, but he has shown qualities of developing a partnership with Raphael Varane.

Ryan Bertrand has become England’s numero uno left back after the injury setback to United’s Luke Shaw. The Southampton left back has been in breathtaking form since joining the Saints from Chelsea on a permanent basis this term. With the Euro 2016 in his sights, Bertrand has been on the rise for the Three Lions.

Having represented England at the senior level only six times so far, the left back will be on a mission to show the fans and the manager as to what he can provide to his side defensively as well as offensively. With his physicality and pace, the Southampton man can be a handful for any team on his day.

#3 Midfield

Juventus superstar Paul Pogba continues to be one of the leading members for his club and country although he has only just established himself in the team two seasons ago. The tall midfielder will have the chance to prove to the English spectators what United had missed out on when they let him go two seasons ago.

Pogba has seen a lot of the ball while playing with both Juventus and France, with older talents not doing enough to get into the starting eleven. But the Juventus man has grabbed his rightful place in the starting XI with consistent and spectacular performances. He will be hoping to reproduce his form against England at Wembley.

Following an acrimonious departure from Liverpool, Raheem Sterling has been making waves with his new side Manchester City, where the England dynamite has accrued 7 goals and an assist in 19 starts across all competitions.

The 19-year-old struck twice during the qualifiers in 7 appearances and also had a hand in another. But he will see his talent being brought under the microscope again as he faces France. Against Spain, Sterling looked like the only source of positives for Hodgson.

Another Englishman to man the midfield in this lineup is Everton star Ross Barkley, who is currently in prime form following Everton’s positive season so far. Barkley has been the main man for his team, contributing to most of his club’s goals. Lining up shots and stringing together passes with strikers, the Everton man has been the main plotter of attacks.

The exciting youngster from England has had his fair share of trials and tribulations in front of goal for his club, and questions are being drawn over his right position to operate from. Barkley has been deployed as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and behind the conventional no.9.

But the Everton man’s best position should be in the middle of midfield, just behind the striker. A sterling performance in the Whites of England might just spur on Barkley’s international career and provide the team with more pace in midfield.

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann had been in great form for his club last term and has found more consistency in the ongoing season that has helped him leave a mark many a times for Atletico Madrid.

Although goals have been hard to come by, Griezmann has still left his influence by stemming the creativity for his side, creating chances aplenty, and even on the international front he has played a significant part in France’s sails. With his sister just barely escaping with her life in the terrorist attacks, Griezmann will be determined to put in a shift for his proud country.

#4 Attack

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is once again set to be the torch-bearer for the visitors as Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck again miss out on account of injuries. A goal-rich 2014/15 campaign saw Kane being called up by Roy Hodgson and he took just 80 seconds to make his mark when he struck against Lithuania after coming on as a substitute on his debut.

Although Kane got the new season off to a whimper, failing to find the net in the first 10 games in all competitions, the 21-year-old is finding his shooting boots again after 6 goals in last 4 games for the Lillywhites.

After a disappointing first game against Spain, Kane will be expecting himself to get on the scoresheet against the visiting French. Kane can both play as an out and out striker or play behind the striker as he is a good dribbler of the ball. The time is right for Kane to make his mark for England, with Sturridge close to returning, Vardy ruled out.

With Karim Benzema given a rest after his recovery from injury, Olivier Giroud has enjoyed a prolonged run in the France eleven, and the Arsenal striker hasn’t disappointed. He has been in red-hot form for both his club and country this season.

Having scored against Germany with his left foot to give France the lead, Giroud looked the brightest of attackers as he held the ball well. His physicality and hold-up play has led him to be one of the key members for his team.

After being booed off by his French supporters, Giroud has managed to score three goals in three games for France. With his eyes set on a first team place at next year’s Euros at home, Giroud will be hoping he can help his team beat England in his adopted city in London.

Wembley has been lucky for the Frenchman, having won back-to-back titles with Arsenal. A victory and a goal against England will be sweeter.