Lloris sure Benzema can lead France forward

The goal-shy Karim Benzema can still be influential for
France if they focus on playing as a team, according to
goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Hugo Lloris is certain that Karim Benzema can help push France
on to a higher level despite a disappointing run in front of goal
for the national team.

The Real Madrid striker has scored just once in his past 12
appearances for Didier Deschamps' side, a stretch that includes
a missed penalty against Sweden in 2014.

But Lloris feels the goal-scoring burden lies with the team as a
whole, not just Benzema, and if they bind together he can
flourish.

"He helps the team a lot. He would like to score a little more,
obviously, but we are a team so we wish that the French
national team scores much more," the 28-year-old told a press
conference.

"He's got a status here. He's really concerned about the
collective. He's here to be the leader.

"Like in the past, a great French national team essentially needs
a great collective.

"That's how the greatest individual skills of some players can be
expressed. He's one of them. He'll lead the French national
team where we want to be."

Although Benzema leads the way in the scoring charts in La
Liga this season with five goals, he has been substituted in six
of his eight appearances under Rafael Benitez, who has called
on him to take more of his chances.

France, who qualified automatically as hosts of Euro 2016, are
at home to Armenia in a friendly on Thursday.