Blanc urges Gourcuff, Benzema to keep improving

France coach Laurent Blanc believes his talented young players must start fulfilling their potential if the country is to become a major player on the world stage once again.

Seeking to reinvigorate Les Bleus after a humiliating group-stage exit at the World Cup, Blanc oversaw back-to-back defeats in his first two games in charge but has since seen France record four straight wins.

As a consequence, France are now top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group and Blanc believes there is a new dynamism to the national set-up.

“The last two matches (a 2-1 friendly defeat of England and a 2-0 win over Luxembourg) have given extra confidence to a team composed of young players who experienced some real trauma in June (at the World Cup),” he said.

“If we want to kick on and be competitive, which we are not currently, compared to the best sides in the world, in the next two years we’ll have to pick up lots of confidence and hope that one, two or three players establish themselves as exceptional players at a big club in France or abroad.”

Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, who worked under Blanc at Bordeaux, is one player for whom great things are predicted in France, and Blanc said he could play a pivotal role in the national team’s future.

“Those who play in midfield are important as they can make the team play well,” said Blanc, who was speaking at the Stars of Sport event in the French Alps here on Wednesday.

“In previous generations, all the exceptional players played in the same position, be it (Michel) Platini or (Zinedine) Zidane.

“They have the capacity to make you win. If we have the chance to have such a player, I’ll take him.”

Karim Benzema, another young talent, has established himself as Blanc’s first-choice number nine, despite struggling to hold down a first-team place at Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old former Lyon frontman has enjoyed more playing time in recent weeks due to an injury to Real team-mate Gonzalo Higuain, however, and Blanc said he was still to achieve his full potential.

“He’s very talented,” said Blanc. “He’s not fulfilled all his talent but if he does, he could be a leader in the years to come.

“He’s one of those guys who’s so talented that they haven’t had to expend much effort to reach the level they’re at today.

“At Lyon it might have been enough but to impose yourself at Real or at another big club, you realise that there are rivals with the same talent and then you have to work to overcome them.

“They’re not used to that and it can cause problems, which we’ve tried to make Karim understand. It was more friendly than anything else.

“He’s only 22, even though he’s been playing for six or seven years, and his capacity to grow, like others of his age, is still significant.”