Laurent starts with Blanc canvas

Following their collective act of rebellion at this year's World Cup, new France manager Laurent Blanc has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the entire 23-man French squad for their next game.

Whether the punishment fits the crime is one matter for debate, especially as relationships in the French camp seem to have been strained beyond the players' control, but in my eyes it's a masterstroke from Blanc, who is proving to be as uncompromising a boss as he was a defender.

Not only does it send a clear message to every French footballer to respect and value the chance to play for their country, but it also give Blanc a chance to double the size of his international pool.

International football is riddled with favouritism. Sven Goran Eriksson was consistently accused of playing those players he enjoyed working with at the expense of others in better form, and more recently Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi and Diego Maradona have been just as guilty.

So taking the chance to give a whole squad of hungry Frenchman a chance to shine and make a name for themselves, safe in the knowledge that there are a bunch of talented, if petulant, individuals waiting in the wings bucks the trend and increases Blanc's options. The likes of Evra, Ribery and Toulalan can no longer take their place for granted and may once again be faced with the honourable prospect of having to prove themselves in order to gain international recognition.