They are dangerous — France legend Emmanuel Petit weighs in on favourites to win Euros
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Emmanuel Petit won the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 with France || Image credit: Imago

They are dangerous — France legend Emmanuel Petit weighs in on favourites to win Euros

Faruq Ibrahim 19:58 - 01.06.2024

Legendary french midfielder Emmanuel Petit discussed Les Bleus's chances of winning EURO 2024.

Ex-France international Emmanuel Petit has weighed in on Les Bleus chances of lifting the 2024 edition of the European Championships set to be hosted by Germany.

Petit, 48, who played for both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League and was himself a winner of the Euros, winning the tournament with Roger Lemerre’s France in 2000, believes Didier Deschamps side are strong contenders and will face an uphill battle on their journey to glory.

What Petit said 

“I think that we have a quality team,” Petit told GFFN. “I think that we are the reference, along with Spain, over the last two decades; with Spain, we’re the team who have won the most trophies and reached the most finals, whether in the Euros or the World Cup. But there are teams who will be very hard to beat. 

“England of course. But I am particularly worried about Germany. The Germans at home—and especially when one feels like they’re not really among the favourites—that’s when they’re particularly dangerous. And I think that they’re not among the favourites—even within their own national press—but we know their ego, their pride, and they’re at home, which can serve as a 12th man. I’m worried about them. 

Emmanuel Petit won the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 with France
Emmanuel Petit won the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 with France

“And yes, France are among the favourites but it won’t be an easy path and, from experience, I know that at a Euros the level is higher than at a World Cup. I know that France reached the final against Argentina in the World Cup and it came down to a few details. But these Euros are likely to be at a slightly higher level.”

Meanwhile, Petit believes future generations will not remember the achievements of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the past two seasons, as they failed to crown their efforts with glory.

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