Why France will regret not taking Samir Nasri to the World Cup

Put yourself in the shoes of Didier Deschamps.

You’re the manager of the French national team, one of the of the most storied programs in the world. After years of success your nation has crashed and burned, wandering throughout the last few international tournaments without any purpose.

Your reputation must be salvaged in Brazil.

So you have your list of potential players, most you’ve already decided on long before, but one name sticks out.

He’s arguably the hottest player in the Premiership. He scored the winning goal in the League Cup final. Another important strike salvaged a crucial point against Sunderland during his club’s quest for the league title. Yet another missile was the Premier League title clincher on the final day of the season. Overall, he created 91 scoring chances this season, more than any other French player.

Samir Nasri was an incredibly important player for the best team in the Premier League.

Following Manchester City’s triumph on Sunday he was asked about his chances of being named to Deschamps’ squad. Nasri’s downtrodden tone said it all.

"If I had made the trip to Brazil, I would have given everything," Nasri told Canal Plus television, speaking in the past tense on a decision that hadn’t been made public . "If it's not enough to be a starter at a club like Manchester City and win two titles, then it's too bad for me."

He knew what was going to happen.

On Wednesday, France announced their 23-man squad. To the surprise of nobody, Nasri wasn’t selected.

Nasri fell victim to his reputation. He was suspended for three games after lambasting a journalist in an expletive laden rant after France’s exit at Euro 2012. France had just come off a horrific World Cup in 2010, where unity didn’t exist in the French camp. Nicolas Anelka was sent home as a coup d’etat engulfed the team, with captain Patrice Evra leading the way.

Deschamps said he didn’t pick Nasri because the 26-year-old isn’t happy when he doesn’t start. His disappointment shows and it affects the team. He also said Nasri’s performances for France haven’t been as good as his play for Manchester City.

"We're going to live together for six weeks. Some players, I don't know which ones yet, aren't going to play," he said, hours before the squad was announced in an interview on French radio. "There are some who are only going to play a little. I have gone through that as a player. Okay, we had the success that everyone knows about in 1998, but it wasn't easy with certain players.”

"Each day that goes by, when you don't play or only play a little, is not easy. But you can't have angels either, who say, 'Hello, thank you, everything's fine'. I don't want a guy who doesn't play to be happy. It's normal that he's not happy. But it's always the collective interest that comes first."

Nasri isn’t about the collective interest. That’s the message being sent here. Even though his manager at Manchester City basically pleaded with the French to select him.

"I can't believe Samir Nasri will not be going to World Cup,” said Manuel Pellegrini. “It will be an important mistake."

It’s about the collective interest. That’s why Patrice Evra, one of the leaders of the embarrassing revolt in South Africa was selected again. Right?

Nasri offers the direct strike ability Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi do not. He’s used to playing with an arsenal of stars around him with City, where finding holes was just as important as making the key pass or playing through the perfectly weighted ball. With the all-star collection of talent at Deschamps’ disposal, that would’ve meshed perfectly with France’s skilled playmakers.

Deschamps and his lieutenants overthought this decision. They’re leaving one of the best, in-form players in the world at home because they’re afraid of repeating history instead of making it.

If you’re Didier Deschamps the question must be asked: Did I select my best team? Without Nasri, the answer is no.