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Mid-Day Ticker: France announces preliminary roster, Del Piero open to Premiership move, and more

Ribery France (AP)

By FRANCO PANIZO

France national team head coach Laurent Blanc has rounded out the preliminary roster for this summer's Euro 2012, and Les Bleus look as deep a team as any.

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri and Patrice Evra of Manchester United headline a 26-man roster that Blanc will need to trim down to 23 by May 29. One player who was left off the roster is Tottenham Hotspur centerback Younes Kaboul, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

France will take on England, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D of this summer's prolific tournament.

Here is the roster:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux).

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon), Mapou Yanga Mbiwa (Montpellier).

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Alou Diarra (Olympique Marseille), Yann M'Vila (Stade Rennes), Yoann Gourcuff (Olympique Lyon), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (Paris Saint-Germain), Loic Remy (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille).

Here are more stories from around the soccer world:

DEL PIERO WELCOMES PREMIER LEAGUE CHALLENGE

The next chapter in Alessandro Del Piero's career could see him plying his trade in England. The Juventus attacker is set to become a free agent this summer, and he has revealed that playing in the Premiership is intriguing to him. Del Piero, who has spent the last 19 years with Juventus, has already been linked with Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur.

GATTUSO OPEN TO RANGERS RETURN

Rangers might be going through difficult times right now, but that has not stopped Gennaro Gattuso from wanting to return to the Scottish powerhouse. The 34-year-old Gattuso, who is now a free agent after leaving AC Milan, said he is open to returning to Rangers for the next phase of his career but admitted he has other options. Gattuso previously spent 12 months with Rangers from 1997-1998.

PRANDELLI TO STAY WITH ITALY AFTER EUROS

Talk about job security. The Italian soccer federation has said it plans to keep head coach Cesare Prandelli in charge of the Azzurri after Euro 2012 no matter how the team fares. Prandelli, who signed a four-year deal in 2010, is looking to guide Italy out of a tough Group C that includes Spain, Croatia and Ireland.

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What do you think of France's preliminary roster? Would you like to see Del Piero in the Premiership? Think Gattuso will return to Rangers?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. well, Del Piero is actually linked with Chicago too. but given Chicago wanted Rio and has given up 9 goals in 8 games, they could use some defensive help. they have been public (which for Chicago isn’t much) that they want a CB. so Nesta is a great option if Rio is not an option. that was the logic i followed when i said that.

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  2. Who would you have over him I am curious . . .

    They’re backline doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence in my opinion . . . losing Sagna is a blow.

    That being said they’re potent going forward, on paper at least. if they are able to take the chances they can create, they will do well. Need some solid play to step up through the middle, a player like Cabaye to continue his form

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  3. Chicago doesn’t need Nesta. We need del Piero, someone who can actually Finish.

    Allez les bleus. Scary thing is the amount of talent that was left off this prelim roster.

    If it clicks right, les Bleus will win it all. This is arguably the one team that matches up well at full strength against Espana, Nederlands and Germany. Catch is will the younger players have enough experience to finish the job.

    Should make the 2nd round with Sweden from their group. Don’t see England getting out of the group and not by playing France in their 1st match and without Rooney. Just don’t see it happening.

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  4. Probably not coming to MLS because neither NY or LA need him, and those are the only two destinations he wants to go to. And LA also already has 3 DP slots filled. For some reason European players think that the U.S. consists of NY and LA. Many great cities here in the states that have MLS teams.

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  5. Ya and they seem younger than before. Normally I wouldn’t be rooting for them, but since I’ll be in France during the finals, it would be a once in a lifetime experience to see them win.

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  6. Castillo made the 29 according to Xolos. rumored that Gomez, Corona and Boyd did too.

    “RT @xolosd: Great News: #xolos player Edgar Castillo will be participating in the #USMNT camp. #Soccer Felicidades. — RT”

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  7. i agree completely. I think Del Piero ends up in NY or Montreal and Nesta in Chicago.

    as for Gattuso, who knows.

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  8. Del Piero sounds like a better investment than Gattuso. Nesta also sounds like he could still contribute.

    Gattuso’s eye/vision issue sounds like a serious concern vs. any level of opposition.

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  9. i was hoping Del Piero would come to MLS. Gattuso did state that Rangers likely can’t sign him and MLS is an option. who knows. so many players available this summer that could turn into DPs.

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