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Over the course of the last decade, PSG have absolutely dominated French football. Their seven Ligue 1 titles and six Coupe de France triumphs are proof of how one-sided the contest has been in France.
PSG may have lost their first title of the decade to LOSC Lille last season, but as things stand they are headed towards redemption.
Mauricio Pochettino's team are top of the Ligue 1 table having lost only one game so far this season. They have a comfortable cushion of 13 points from second-placed Nice and will mostly run away with the title once again. A team is only as good as its players and in the case of PSG they only keep getting better.
The most valuable players in Ligue 1 all belong to PSG
The Ligue 1 giants have a star-studded lineup boasting some of the biggest names in Europe. They also have a modern football great in Lionel Messi in their ranks now. These are some of the most sought-after names and their market value precedes their reputation.
In fact, PSG are the only team in France that are considered competent enough to challenge top teams in the UEFA Champions League. As such, it is no surprise that out of 10 most valuable Ligue 1 players, eight belong to their squad. But French football has its many superstars and not all of them wear a PSG jersey.
Here are the five most valuable Ligue 1 players who do not belong to PSG.
#5 Houssem Aouar - €32M
One name that echoed a lot throughout 2021 with various suitors emerging was Houssem Aouar. The Olympique Lyon midfielder is undoubtedly among the best midfielders in Ligue 1 although he has gone through a dip in form in the last six-months.
The 23-year old is primarily a central-midfielder, a No.8 if you may, but is capable of playing a more advanced as well as wider role on the left. He is a technically skilled player with a very impressive passing range often on display in Ligue 1 matches.
Aouar's market value has been decreasing since October 2020, when it was €50m as per Transfermarkt. However, at €32m he is still the fifth-most valuable non-PSG player in the French top-flight. This could be a good time for the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and even PSG, all of whom have enquired about his signature at some point to try and persuade Lyon to sell.
#4 Lucas Paqueta - €35M
A significant reason behind Houssem Aouar's fading charm in France is credited to another Lyon star, Lucas Paqueta. Even though the Brazilian only joined the Ligue 1 club one season ago, he has quickly established himself as a regular. He makes important contributions to the team apart from his attractive goal and assist tally.
Having joined from AC Milan for a fee of €20m, his rising stock proves that the 24-year old has developed himself since moving to Ligue 1. If PSG ever decide to dump Julian Draxler from their ranks, they might not have to look beyond Lyon. Last season, he scored nine goals and provided six assists in 30 league games.
This campaign has been a positive one as well for the attacking midfielder, who has six goals and three assists to his name in 17 Ligue 1 matches. That is a better tally than PSG's forwards like Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.
The Brazilian is extremely skilled and an efficient dribbler whose winning mentality has been appreciated. Like a modern midfielder must, Paqueta works a lot without the ball to help his team press and get back into possession.
At times he has been the only shining light for Lyon, getting on the scoresheet in the defeats against PSG and Stade Rennes. The Brazilian also scored the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win against Montpellier.
#3 Aurelien Tchouameni - €40M
There is often a debate when big players emerge from Ligue 1 and that is whether they can get into that PSG side. One man who, despite just being 21 gets into any team in Ligue 1 today is Aurelien Tchouameni. The Monaco defensive midfielder has been the best in his position in the French top-flight over the last 12 months.
Last season, he started 36 games for Monaco and his quality was on display in each of those. Boasting a huge reserve of stamina, the 21-year old runs relentlessly, tackles fiercely and has a great understanding of the game. Often midfielders like Tchouameni are fueled by aggression and lose their composure.
But the defensive ace maintains high intensity with minimal rash decisions due to which many clubs want to price him away from Ligue 1. He continues to be linked with Manchester United and Chelsea regularly. Tchouameni's success rate of tackles and interceptions is among the best in Ligue 1.
The Monaco player is naturally a ball-winning midfielder but with his ball carrying ability and runs from the back, can be employed as a box-to-box midfielder too. In short, Tchouameni makes most sides better in Europe and gets into most of them, including PSG.
#2 Amine Gouiri - €45M
It may only be his second full season in Ligue 1 but Amine Gouiri has proven how special a talent he is and how capable he is of leading the attack. His style of play resembles that of Karim Benzema's and just like the veteran striker, he is capable of bringing other players into the game.
Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City have been scouting the 21-year old who continues his development under Christophe Galtier. In his first Ligue 1 season, he scored 12 goals and assisted seven. This season, his second, he is already looking to go past that tally, having scored eight goals and provided four assists in 19 matches.
Gouiri's ball control is quite exceptional and has allowed him to do so much in the final third. He finds all the time to make penultimate passes into the final-third that lead to goal chances and on other occasions gets a shot away with individual brilliance.
His mobility has helped OGC Nice keep the ball moving and continue possession as the striker shifts to the left-wing side at times and falls deeper on other occasions. The best centre-forwards in football are those who are comfortable with ball retention and the Ligue 1 sensation hasn't disappointed at all.
#1 Jonathan David - €50M
With an increase of €15M in his market value in the last six months, the most valuable Ligue 1 player not playing for PSG is Lille star Jonathan David. He is also the eighth most valuable player in the French top-flight, the top-seven being all PSG players. But this has been David's season so far, who is the top scorer in Ligue 1.
By trait, the 21-year old is a poacher who thrives the most inside the penalty box but he is quite versatile and equally dangerous in other roles as well. A tactically astute player, David possesses great positional awareness and is decisive with his passing, always looking to create a threat.
His legs don't disappoint him or his team and like a modern striker, his work off the ball is admirable as he loves to press the opposition. David is comfortable when he functions alongside a supporting striker and is equally potent when asked to lead the attack without one.
The Canadian is capable of scoring from both his feet and the opposition finds it difficult to push him to his weaker foot, because there may not be one. Liverpool, Inter Milan and Arsenal have all registered interest in Ligue 1's top scorer.
