Was Villeneuve the best French commander available?

Was Villeneuve the best French admiral available at the time?

Probably, although Rosily and Ganteaume are considered; Gravina or another capable Spanish admiral is preferred for the allied command.

Rosily might have been better, but the lack of a comparable battle command prevents a firm judgment. Ganteaume had successes to his name but spent much of his time confined at Brest. Villeneuve is therefore tentatively regarded as the best French option available. The preferred solution for the combined fleet would nevertheless have been a Spanish commander such as Gravina.