Domenech wants Henry out, but France need his goals

To some a mystifying figure, Raymond Domenech is reportedly on the receiving end of more squad tantrums after word filtered through that he doesn’t fancy starting Thierry Henry in the Uruguay opener.

Player power might yet put paid to this decision – one which finds the France coach not only leaving out the man who is the French captain, but who was also their top goalscorer in two of the last three World Cups.

Henry scored three in 2006 (as did Zidane), and three during the victorious 1998 World Cup. Although, like the entire France team, he failed to find the net at all in 2002.

Should Domenech persist in rubbing his countrymen up the wrong way by sticking to his guns, then France’s Top goalscorer market suddenly catches the eye.

Nicolas Anelka is the current favourite with odds of 11/4, then Henry at 9/2, and then Franck Ribery, who could become a very interesting proposition, at 5/1.

In the World Cups that found Henry on decent scoring form, he was always followed on the French scoring charts by a midfielder.

The aforementioned Zinedine Zidane with three in 2006, then Emmanuel Petit, Zidane again, and a surprising brace from the defender Lilian Thuram in 1998.

So with Henry taken from the equation completely, France’s top goalscorer could conceivably come from the midfield.

How with this effect France’s chances of progressing in the tournament? See France specials market.