France snoozefest vs Denmark sums up Didier Deschamps' problem, he can't get this hyper-talented group playing

Les Bleus were Les Beiges against Denmark, once again lacking in spark

Such is their depth of talent that France can afford to rotate their team and still put out a side that most nations at this World Cup would weep to have among their ranks.

Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were among those rested, £300m worth of prime footballers, but in their place come the next stars off the conveyor belt - a never-ending supply of top talent.

As noted here , France are the only nation considered a contender that are yet to have any significant storyline blow up around their campaign. Considering the explosive demises of previous World Cups, staying under the radar is precisely what Deschamps will have wanted but it is not what he should be providing.

Because with this much ability in his squad, with such an incredible concentration of talent in his first XI and then depth of it in reserve, France must be playing better football than this. Their laboured win over Australia came via a confusing penalty and a freak deflection, the narrow victory against Peru was held together with Pritt Stick. This dreary, virtually unwatchable draw with Denmark suited both sides, of that there is no doubt, but at some point does the coach not want to see his side actually play well?

Should Argentina triumph in St Petersburg against Nigeria it will almost certainly set them up for a date with the French in Kazan on Saturday. On paper, that is a belting round-of-16 tie that could just as easily have been a semi-final but is instead two nations that have sputtered and deceived. Argentina's woeful preparation and their manager melting under the pressure have given them some excuse, perhaps. What is Deschamps'?

It is hard to see how 'Didi' could have been put in any better situation to succeed, a relatively simple group, an ultra-talented roster of players and - for once! - no drama. Instead they have been a side devoid of excitement, stale in possession despite an embarrassment of riches. It is frustrating to see the same concerns around their style and cohesion in Deschamps' third tournament as coach but in that time they have one truly creditable win, beating Germany in Marseille.

As the Luzhniki whistled and jeered during the first 0-0 of World Cup 2018, Deschamps can't have heard much else but what he should be hearing is alarm bells. Should Argentina await, then the winner of Uruguay and Portugal, France may not be long for this competition. On this evidence, they won't be missed.