Mexes: Rami and Varane the best for France

Rami and Varane must start against Spain, insists Mexes

12-Mar-2013 9:45:00 PM

The AC Milan central defender thinks his country should look to their younger players ahead of two important qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup

Philippe Mexes says he would accept a call up to the France squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers but coach Didier Deschamps should pick Adil Rami and Raphael Varane as the No.1 centre-back partnership.

Les Bleus face Georgia and Spain in the next round of matches and are currently second in Group I after three games.

And the AC Milan stopper insists, despite his strong performances in Europe for the Rossoneri, the Liga pair have proven they are up to the task of stopping the reigning world and European champions.

"If they call me up, I would say yes. But we must leave room for the kids," He told L’Equipe.

"We must leave room for the young. Against Spain, you have got to play Raphael Varane and Adil Rami. OK, I had a good match against Barca [Barcelona], but we cannot rely solely on it.”

"At this time, Varane is the No.1 French central defender."

Mexes added that he was pleased with his performance against Barcelona for Milan in their 2-0 Champions League victory.

He said: "At the time I had a very good feeling on the pitch. When all goes well this is the kind of game that allows you to show how good a shape you are in."

The second leg of that match is on Tuesday where Mexes will be hoping the Serie A giants do enough to progress to the quarter-final stages.