France can field outrageous U23 starting XI that could win everything including the World Cup

Rayan Cherki, Desire Doue and Eduardo Camavinga have been included in a star-studded France team featuring players who are under the age of 23 – and it could dominate international football for years to come.

The France national under-21 team, known in France as Les Espoirs, will take part in the upcoming U21 European Championship in Slovakia.

Gerald Baticle's side will face Portugal in their Group C opener on Wednesday night, although a handful of high-profile names miss out, including the prolific Rayan Cherki, who has scored 13 goals in 23 games for the under-21s since 2021.

Spurs pair Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, meanwhile, will likely combine to forge one of the most impressive attacking lines in the tournament alongside Frankfurt's Jean-Matteo Bahoya.

As pointed out by L'Equipe, Baticle's men will be deprived of eligible players who have already been called up by senior manager Didier Deschamps ahead of the U21 Euros, but what if everyone was available for selection?

The French publication have created a starting XI based on an "imaginary world where the Espoirs were a priority and all countries fielded the best possible team" – and it would certainly make them tournament favourites.

As you can see from the graphic below, Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes features between the sticks, while Chelsea's Malo Gusto, Manchester United's Leny Yoro, RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba and Quentin Merlin from Marseille make up a back four.

In what is a formidable midfield, Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga partners 19-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery from PSG, while club teammates Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola flank Manchester City's latest summer signing Rayan Cherki.

Hugo Ekitike, who continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League, would then lead the front line.

Only players born after 1st January 2002 can participate at the U21 Euros. Image credit: L'Equipe Image credit: L'Equipe

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the team.

One said: "Might do better than the actual team," while another commented: "I feel like this is better than every regular national squad bar Portugal, Spain and Argentina."

A third wrote: "If France don't win any of three next World Cup's it'll be the biggest failed generation ever, they're just a level above everyone else."

A fourth said: "Something like this for England I reckon: Trafford/Livramento/Branthwaite/Colwill/Lewis-Skelly/Wharton/Saka/Bellingham/Palmer/Rogers/Delap," while a fifth added: "That's insane honestly."

Thoughts on the team? Let us know in the comments.