Robert Pires plays on the left for Arsenal but not for France. I am sure that won’t change while Zinedine Zidane has anything to do with it.

Everyone knows what Zidane is capable of - his record in the game speaks for itself.

But one of the reasons I believe he often prefers playing on the left-hand side for France is the great relationship he has with the left-back Bixente Lizarazu.

People should remember the two of them played together early in their career for Bordeaux.

For the last eight years, they have been in the French team and they know each other’s games inside out. It is a little bit like David Beckham and Gary Neville.

Maybe one of the tactics England should think about is trying to stop Lizarazu getting involved. It won’t be easy though, he is very small and very quick.

He and Zidane know where each other are on the pitch and you have to defend against them as a team. Lizarazu is 34 now but he has just had a season with Bayern Munich and is still important.

The opening match between France and England is a fascinating one particularly because of the number of team-mates who are directly up against each other.

Robert Pires, on the right, will be marked by Ashley Cole. Zidane and Beckham will be near each other; Claude Makalele and Frank Lampard of Chelsea will be in midfield.

The key encounter for me though is Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry. Sol will obviously try to go out and treat it as another match but it won’t be easy.

I didn’t like coming up against players I knew well. I always remember Sylvain Wiltord was a friend of mine from the French team. When Chelsea played Arsenal, I was reluctant to kick him in case I injured him!

Sol will see Thierry in training every day so he knows what he is capable of. He has to concentrate the whole time and not let their friendship get involved in the game.

I will watch the game with friends in Paris. I expect the whole of England is going mad at the moment. It is slightly different in France, football is not a religion and people are thinking about leaving for their summer holidays.

If France do well at the start, interest will grow and grow towards the final. If France do badly, everyone will go the beach and work on their tans!

Personally speaking, I would like to see a France versus England final. I really think it could happen as well but, don’t kill me, I think France can only beat themselves.

Franck was speaking to Joe Bernstein


Franck Leboeuf Career

Hyeres 1986-87
Meaux 1987-88
Laval 1988-1991
Strasbourg 1991-1996
Chelsea 1996-2001
Olympique Marseille 2001-2003
Al Saad (Qatar) 2003-

France 50 caps

Honours

1997 FA Cup (Chelsea)
1998 League Cup (Chelsea)
1998 European Cup Winners' Cup (Chelsea)
1998 World Cup (France)
1998 European Super Cup (Chelsea)
2000 Charity Shield (Chelsea)
2000 FA Cup (Chelsea)
2000 European Championship (France)
2001 Confederation Cup (France)