Former France international Luis Fernandez has warned that the national team's recent friendly victories should not be used as evidence that the Euro 2016 hosts can do without Karim Benzema at the tournament.
L'Equipe devoted much of its coverage in Thursday's paper to the idea that the Real Madrid striker -- currently suspended from the national team -- may not be needed by France.
Without their main front-man, France fired seven goals in two wins over Netherlands and Russia this month.
Following the 4-2 success against Russia on Tuesday, France coach Didier Deschamps refused to be drawn on whether Benzema's presence was necessary for his side to have a chance of winning the European Championship.
But Fernandez, who won the European Championships when it was last hosted by France in 1984, told Le Parisien that Benzema's services are still required.
"By nature, these meetings are easier and have less pressure than there is during a big competition," Fernandez said of France's most recent matches. "When the Euros start, all of Les Bleus' opponents will be more vigilant and watchful.
"We won't necessarily see the nice attacking football that we appreciated against the Netherlands and Russia.
"With what [Benzema] has gone through, there'll be a type of gratitude towards Deschamps. He's going to be motivated like never before and he will be very much at ease with passers like [Dimitri] Payet and [Antoine] Griezmann.
"At the Euros, you need players who strike fear into the opposition. Who better than a starter at Real Madrid for the past six seasons to frighten the opposing defenders?"
Didier Deschamps, France coach: "[The French squad] have nothing to lose and everything to win." #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/ducPw3fS54
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) March 29, 2016
However, former France left back Bixente Lizarazu is of the opinion that France are strong in attack even without Benzema, due to the rapid development of younger players like Manchester United's Anthony Martial and Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.
"A life without Benzema exists," the former Bayern Munich player was quoted as saying by Le Parisien.
"There are solutions -- good solutions -- and above all they're arriving en masse."
Last November Benzema, 28, was charged with conspiracy to blackmail as part of an investigation into an alleged attempt to extort money from his France team mate Mathieu Valbuena using a sex tape.
A legal restriction that stopped the forward meeting Valbuena was lifted earlier this month. And having finally been granted access to the case files, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said they will make a decision on Benzema's future with Les Bleus by April 15.
On Thursday L'Equipe said a survey carried out on their behalf showed that 73 percent of French people do not want to see Benzema return to the squad for Euro 2016.
That figure is up 13 percent on a similar poll conducted a month ago and, perhaps more significantly, the latest one found that 71 percent of French football fans would not welcome him back.