Barthez is France's weakest link

The World Cup legends have been previewing the summer's finals in Korea and Japan, and feel the shaven-headed shot-stopper is Les Bleus' weakest link.

Former Brazil coach Zagallo feels it is time that Barthez was replaced by Roger Lemerre, while former Juventus star Boniek blasts his inconsistency.

"The Barthez case leaves me puzzled," admits Zagallo.

"We could think he is not any more the brilliant player he used to be.

"Was he struck, like some Brazilian players, by a kind of panic or fear? In those situations, you do anything.

"Do France have one or two other keepers equal to the situation?

"The matter is essential and, in my opinion, has to be settled as quickly as possible."

Boniek lavishes praise on the rest of the successful French side, but again singles Barthez out for criticism.

"France are simply the best team in the world," the Pole told France Football.

"They have the best players, except Barthez.

"He can play like nobody else but he can also miss his match.

"He can vary from being the best keeper in the world to a keeper who is playing on a Sunday with his friends.

"He is perfectly fit, but unstable. If I should have to play with him, I would have never been confident.

"But the most important thing is that the French team trust him, and they do."