Clichy desperate to play at World Cup with France

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy is desperate to play in his first major tournament with France after failing to make the European Championship squad two years ago. By Jerome Pugmire, AP Sports Writer France coach Raymond Domenech is unsure whether all the players currently training in the French Alpine resort of Tignes will be going to the World Cup in South Africa. Clichy made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier at home to Serbia in September 2008 but has played only twice since for France, and said Sunday there is a chance he could miss out again. "Maybe I am among the players who are (in danger). If I am the player who leaves, of course there will be disappointment but I hope I'm not that player," Clichy said. "We don't know if the coach wants to keep the same 23 players, or whether he will call up another player." With Lassana Diarra ruled out of the World Cup because of a genetic red-blood cell disorder, Domenech could summon a replacement in midfield to bring his squad back up to 24 players, meaning one would have to be dropped before June 1. Clichy's chances are somewhat improved by the fact that Domenech needs defensive cover because center back William Gallas is still recovering from a calf injury. After missing Euro 2008, however, Clichy does not want to look too far ahead. "If you start analyzing things, then anyone can say, 'Yes, I have got a chance', but the reality is that it could all change tomorrow," Clichy said. At Euro 2008, Clichy's path was blocked by Barcelona's Eric Abidal, who was the first-choice left back before slotting into the center of defense, and Manchester United's Patrice Evra. With Abidal and Gallas now the preferred pairing in central defense, and Evra the first-choice left back, Clichy is competing with Lyon full back Anthony Reveillere who can play on either flank as back up to Evra. Clichy believes a World Cup experience would be more thrilling than playing in either the Champions League or the Premier League. "There's no comparison. Of course when you see Inter (Milan) lifting the (Champions League) trophy, or you see Chelsea lifting the (Premier League) trophy in England, you want a part of it. But the World Cup is something different," Clichy said. "It will be my first major tournament with the French team, and I remember when I was a kid I used to write the scores down in my (World Cup) calendar after each match. Now I have the chance to be a part of the tournament and maybe my little brother's friends will be the ones writing the scores down." Source: www.usatoday.com/

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