This new Ligue 1 exercise revealed a good number of nuggets. Many players in the French championship are coming forward as future stars. In all French formations, one or two elements stand out clearly. Young or not, their level of play is surprising. Fourteen revelations that we reward here and whose evolution will have to be followed closely.
14. Billal Brahimi - OGC Nice
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Billal Brahimi can become special. We already feel a technical mastery with the ball at the foot. It is able to eliminate and distribute caviars. His two assists attest to this. From now on, we hope to see him become even more of an actor in a meeting.
Tactically and athletically, there are still gaps. At 22, his panoply can still be refined easily. A left-hander of which Christophe Galtier speaks only well.
13. Kamaldeen Sulemana - Rennes
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One more technical winger in Ligue 1 . Kamaldeen Sulemana is one of the best dribblers in the championship. The Stade Rennais striker already has four goals and two assists. The young 19-year-old virtuoso energizes the left wing of the SRFC with speed and game vision.
Unfortunately, repeated injuries and the AFCON kept him away from Bruno Génesio's eleven. 4 goals and 2 assists in 20 games, but a real plus on the pitch.
12. Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe - PSG
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We know how painful it is to scratch minutes as a pro for the Parisian titis. Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe has managed to slip into the PSG eleven more than ten times. In the end, we discover a valuable and interesting box-to-box in its approach.
Intense pressing, a good vision of the game and a determination to be useful to the collective of Paris. Now, it remains to work on its contribution in the opposing thirty meters.
11. Bamba Dieng - OM
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Bamba Dieng is the typical display of the frustrating player. A striker full of qualities. The Senegalese international offers sharp calls, precise crosses and well-felt accelerations. We have seen him score seven times and assist three times. Sometimes, these acrobatic gestures end in filoche.
On the other hand, he is guilty of regular wanderings. Misfires on single passes or ball checks. Worse, Dieng often lacks tact in front of goal. A point of progress for a young element of 22 years.
10. Pablo Rosario - OGC Nice
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Pablo Rosario is an outstanding recoverer. The midfielder of OGC Nice has successfully performed a number of operations on the feet of championship stars. The Aiglon has established itself in its new stable as a pillar of Christophe Galtier. Discreet but effective within thirty meters of his team.
Two assists for him and growing activity over the months. Surprising to see him performing so well without an adaptation phase after leaving the Netherlands.
9. Ilan Kebbal - Reims
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How difficult it is to steal the ball from him... Ilan Kebbal has unfailing offensive creativity. The Stade de Reims attacking midfielder scored a goal and gave his teammates four more. After a good first leg, the young Reims lost in efficiency.
Oscar Garcia made him a virtuoso with the ball, not yet a master tactician. At almost 24 years old, we still feel he is capable of taking an additional step. It is up to him to progress in the last gesture.
8. Alberth Elis - Bordeaux
Alberth Elis / Sylvain Lefevre / GettyImages
Alberth Elis is one of the few Bordeaux players at the level this season. The Honduran international has had a painful season. Injuries and a team that collapsed especially in defense. However, he offered the expected return.
Nine goals and one assist in 20 games. Its contribution is immediate in terms of speed and perforation. An attacker capable of wreaking havoc in defense with his swaying ball grips.
7. Mohamed Bayo - Clermont
Mohamed Bayo / FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / GettyImages
Mohamed Bayo lived his first season in the Elite. The Clermont Foot striker discovered Ligue 1 without complexes. At 23, the Guinean international has scored 13 goals and delivered 5 assists. A pharaonic balance sheet for an attacker who plays the maintenance.
Its influence is also felt on the pressing and even in the construction. A player decidedly apart with a competitive mentality as we like them.
6. Lukeba Castle - OL
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Castello Lukeba has been slow to find his way into the starting XI. We had to wait until Jason Denayer was injured and Jérome Boateng declined. Then, the young Lyon defender took on his responsibilities.
A large size, precise, rigorous and determined to win. More than 20 games played for two goals and a lot of promise. With more concentration and a better recovery, the 19-year-old rock can become an undisputed part of the championship.
5. David Pereira da Costa - RC Lens
David Pereira da Costa / FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / GettyImages
A small man of 1m68 that we had not seen coming. David Pereira da Costa gently imposed his paw on the midfielder of RC Lens . More than 30 matches in Ligue 1 for a good performance. 3 goals and 5 assists for the 21-year-old Portuguese torchbearer.
Despite his small size, he will compensate with technical mastery and tactical know-how. A player difficult to muzzle very active over 90 minutes in the heart of the game.
4. Quentin Merlin - FC Nantes
Quentin Merlin / Aurelien Meunier/GettyImages
Quentin Merlin came out of nowhere. A first full season as a professional and here he is indisputably holder in Nantes . The tricolor left side has demonstrated a real capacity for percussion and withdrawal in his lane.
A young 20-year-old rear capable of repeating efforts and distributing caviars: 3 in Ligue 1 and also an exceptional goal scored against PSG. A defender at the beginning of a great career.
3. Malo Gusto - OL
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Lyon supporters have been waiting for him for years. Malo Gusto finally appeared regularly in the jersey of OL . At 19, the young right-back has largely taken over Léo Dubois. Peter Bosz has given him his confidence in almost 30 games in Ligue 1.
We have discovered a powerful back on his lane capable of combining strikes. From now on, we expect to see him a little less nagging about his withdrawal and his interventions. A defensive axis of progression but a huge promise.
2. Hugo Ekitike - Reims
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Hugo Ekitike left his mark on the first leg. The 19-year-old striker has scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists in 22 games. A 1m90 striker capable of playing in depth, in the surface or in deflection. A rare and sought-after profile in Europe.
Unfortunately, his serious injury kept him out of action throughout the return phase. He did not reappear until the 36th day when Stade de Reims had nothing left to play.
1. Nuno Mendes - PSG
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Nuno Mendes is undoubtedly the revelation of the year in Ligue 1. Since the departure of Maxwell, PSG could not find a regular left-back and enough to punch offensively. The Portuguese international was recruited in the last hours of the summer transfer window. A total success.
More than 25 championship matches for a sensational activity. Diligent returns behind, presence to support Neymar or Kylian Mbappé and a real determination to play forward. Mendes is only 19 but we already feel that his future looks golden.
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