Antoine Griezmann And Paul Pogba To Shine At Euro 2016- Dimitri Payet

 

Dimitri Payet believes Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba remain France's key players despite a mixed start to Euro 2016. Griezmann and Pogba were restored to the starting line-up for France's final group stage match against Switzerland after dropping to the bench against Albania, but the two players have just one tournament goal between them.

Payet, who scored twice in the group stage, believes they are still the host nation's most influential stars, even though many regard the West Ham midfielder as France's best player in the competition so far. He said “People will still talk about Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba. We saw them in the game against Switzerland, and they are the ones to be counted on. We need those two players. They can guide us through and deep into the competition.”

The Hammers star also said France will increasingly lean on the playing experience of their manager Didier Deschamps as they seek to emulate his success on the international stage. Deschamps, who succeeded Laurent Blanc as the national team manager in 2012, captained France to World Cup glory on home soil in 1998 and won Euro 2000 two years later. Unbeaten in the 2016 tournament so far, Les Bleus topped Group A with seven points, and will play a third-placed team from either Group C, D or E in a last-16 game on Sunday.