The definitive list to the best young talent in the France.
Part I looked at the young players who have established themselves as Ligue 1 regulars. Part II looks at the best up and coming talent from the rest of France.
Ever comprehensive, Arjblog runs the rule over the best of the rest, a listing of the youth talent either on the cusp of breaking through or announcing themselves in France, all 22 or under:
Ligue 1's Potential List:
Raphael Varane - Lens - A meteoric rise saw the 18 year old centre-back only debut in November 2010 before going on to become a starter by December. Scored his first two goals in May 2011 before finishing the season as the club's captain at season end having played 23 times. His temperament and composure are keenly regarded and despite being relegated, won a surprise transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2011.
Nicolas N'Koulou - Monaco - The 21 year old Cameroonian defender was a lone bright spot for the relegated giants as he played 30 times (starting 26 games) for the club. Part of the national team's Olympic squad at Beijing in 2008, he has already made 25 appearances for the Indomitable Lions senior team. Although wiry, he brings a refreshing blend of pace and robustness at the back. After three years and 78 games for Monaco, he signed a four year contract with Marseille in June 2011.
Anthony Mounier - Nice - Another player just above our age cutoff, the 23 year old left winger and striker occasional striker is the latest off the Lyon youth team assembly line. With chances ahead of him limited, he was sent on loan to Nice where he as an absolute revelation. Played close to 50 hours of football on the south coast with 34 starts, three goals and 11 assists.
Benjamin Andre - Ajaccio - 32 apps, 27 starts, 1 goal. One of the key players for the promoted side from Corsica, the attacking midfielder was central to his club's season in Ligue 2. Now in the top division, all eyes will be on him to see if he can impress on the biggest stage and possibly win a move to one of the Ligue 1 regulars. No, not lead singer of Outkast and occasional actor.
Younousse Sankhare - Dijon - A sparkling season for the 21 year old left sided midfielder and defender, he impressed for his club after making his loan from PSG permanent. 26 starts brought six goals for the French player of Mauritanian descent. A regular for the U-21 squad, he has scored three times in 16 games for them.
Damien Marcq - Caen - Broke into Ligue 1 after transferring from lower league Boulogne, he thrust into first team football and relished every moment of it last season, playing 28 times with 22 starts and over 1900 minutes of football. The defender who can also fill in as a defensive midfielder is already 22 but should eventually become a league stalwart.
Yannick Sagbo - Evian TG / Monaco - Instrumental in securing a second consecutive promotion for the high flying club, despite not yet being 22, he played 40 hours of football during the club's successful winning season in Ligue 2, notching nine goals during 31 games and 28 starts. The striker received a call up to Benin's national team and is another of Monaco's stable who had successful loan spells.
Lynel Kitambala - Lorient - A gun slinger at Caen has become a steady attacking presence for the lower-mid-table Lorient side. Played 27 times and weighed in with six goals and four assists. The Congolese born player came through the ranks at Auxerre before moving to Lorient at the start of last season.
Jean Kana Biyik - Rennes - Solid and steady if not necessarily eye-catching, the 22 year old was a regular feature of Rennes sides through out the season. Started 27 times and scored one goal but his industry and work rate were commendable in Stade Rennes' defence. Interestingly, after having played for Cameroon's U-20 side, he accepted a call up to France's U-21 team, for whom he has five caps and 1 goal.
Bruno Ecuele Manga - Lorient - Already a mainstay for club, his performances have been steady and mature as the Gabonese centre-back nailed down a starting spot for his club. Injury permitting, should continue to play over 35 times every season for the next decade. Brought up through Bordeaux's youth system, he has only just turned 22.
Younes Belhanda - Montpellier - Another accomplished Ligue 1 player of Maghrebi descent, he racked up 2590 minutes over 36 games and 28 starts for club, scoring three goals with a pair of helpers. Still needs a season or two to truly arrive, as his game requires some refinement, the creative vibrancy the 21 year old midfielder provides, are already there to be seen by all. Currently capped by Morocco.
Charley Fomen - Dijon - The 21 year old Cameroonian made the move from his country to Marseille in 2009 but after playing in their youth and reserve teams was sent out on loan to then second division Dijon, where he impressed with a regular slot in the side. During Dijon's promotion campaign he played 28 times for the club, making the left back position his own.
Kevin Theophile-Catherine - Rennes - Another starlet at Rennes, the 21 year old made 26 starts, finishing all but one, and scored a pair of goals. Strong at the back, he often lined up alongside Biyik as Rennes debuted one of the youngest back lines, at times, in Ligue 1, over the season. It was on the contributions of youngsters like T-Catherine and Biyik, that Renne's title challenge was built.
Adrian Gunino, Etienne Capoue and Chiekh M'Bengue - Toulouse - Part of the youth revolution at Toulouse, and one that served them admirably during the early part of the 201-11 season, that saw the southern side up among the European League places; the trio of youngsters have joined Franck Tabanou, in stamping their authority on the club's starting lineup. Between the three, they racked up 91 starts and over 8100 minutes of football combined with six assists. With all of them being just 22 each, a long career in Ligue 1, beckons, either in the purple stripes of Toulouse or elsewhere in league. Every team needs a set of core players who run the team and put in long shifts in the middle, Toulouse's core is the youngest in Ligue 1.
While Gunino is a former French U-21 captain, Gunino just completed his third loan from Argentine parent side Danubio. M'Bengue has already played 79 times for Toulouse and earned a national team call up for Senegal.
No comments:
Post a Comment