Page 2 - Best Young Ligue 1 Players

MIDFIELDERS

(L-R) Lucas Moura, Marco Verratti, James Rodriguez

MARCO VERRATTI | PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN, ITALY, 21

The Italian has attracted attention ever since his move from Italy into the city of Paris. Plenty of top clubs have shown interest in him, including the likes of Juventus, and this season he proved why, occupying an important position in PSG’s solid three-man midfield.

That PSG midfield has received a lot of praise, Motta has been the focal point with Matuidi the most attack minded player. Verratti thus is important to provide the balance and has done a good job on the right side of central midfield. Blanc has thought his midfield to retain possession and Verratti has learnt well, averaging a 92% passing success rate. He also averages nearly 2.5 tackles per game. Thus Verratti is deployed to not only retain possession but also with the duty of regaining it. His performances have kept Yohan Cabaye out of the side as the ex-Pescara man goes through another 40+ game season. Here’s a detailed Scout Report on Marco Verratti.

LUCAS MOURA | PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN, BRAZIL, 21

The Brazilian youngster turned heads after opting to join PSG despite being linked with some big clubs. He has found it hard to nail down a place in PSG’s first team but has taken the chances that have presented themselves.

Lucas Moura has been a part of PSG’s line-up for each and every game in all competitions this season but has started only 50% of them and the remaining have seen him come off the bench, barring two games. He has been instrumental in providing pace down PSG’s flank with an average of 2.8 dribbles per game. It has seen him assist nearly 15 of PSG’s goals in all competitions but has only three goals to his name. Though he nearly scored one of the greatest goals in French domestic football history vs Marsellie, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance. He is the third highest assister in the entire league, beaten only by Zlatan and the next player in the list.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ | MONACO, COLOMBIA, 22

One of the biggest names in the Ligue 1 at this moment in time, James Rodriguez has lived up to expectations and has led Monaco into a fascinating first season after claiming promotion.

James Rodriguez has been a stand-out performer in Ligue 1 and if it wasn’t for the exploits of PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he could be considered the best player in the league as well. He has been involved in nearly 40% of Monaco’s league goals this season, scoring 9 (second highest top scorer for the club) and 12 assists which puts him as the second best assister, behind that Swede. He has averaged more than 2.5 shots per game and 2.5 chances created per game, while also finding the net with some long range free-kicks and shots. He has played in majority of Monaco’s games and has been the main source of creativity in that 4-3-1-2 formation.

James Rodriguez has featured a joint-record three times in our #TalentRadar Team of the Week. First he was recognised for his first ever brace in French football vs Bastia, and then in his role in the big 3-2 victory away to Lyon and most recently for his performance vs Nantes.

ATTACKERS

(L-R) Majeed Waris, Alexandre Lacazette, Vincent Aboubakar

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE | LYON, FRANCE, 22:

Lacazette has been phenomenal this season and is another one of those young players who would have been leading the charts if it weren’t for the riches of PSG. He has led Lyon this season, almost single-handedly in attack.

With 14 goals to his name, Lacazette is the joint third highest scorer in the Ligue 1, beaten only by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, and he looks unlikely to climb higher. With 2.5 shots per game, Lacazette has proven to be a night-mare for defenders, constantly moving and active around the box. The striker showcases immense composure on the ball and combines that with his ability to get past on-coming defenders. He has been touted as a talent for some seasons but the 2013/14 campaign proved to be the season where everyone took notice.

You can read a report on Lacazette’s brilliant brace scoring performance against Bastia here and here’s a more detailed Scout Report on the Lyon man.

VINCENT ABOUBAKAR | LORIENT, CAMEROON, 22

The Lorient No.9 who made the jump from Valenciennes this season has been having a remarkable campaign, tied with Lacazette in the scoring charts and thus another victim of the PSG dominance.

Of the 33 games Lorient have had in the Ligue 1 this season, the Cameroonian has been available for selection 32 times and has played each and every minute of those 32 games. He has been the crucial player in Lorient’s campaign as they are securing another safe mid-table position. Aboubakar is blessed with a good upper body strength, possesses raw pace and is brilliant in finding space & getting in behind the defenders with his runs. With 2.6 shots per game, he has proved why he is right up there in the top scorers table.

MAJEED WARIS | VALENCIENNES (on loan from Spartak Moscow), GHANA, 22

The man on loan from the Russian Premier League has been a revelation in the French Ligue 1, and a rare bright light in a rather dismal season for Valenciennes which looks set to end in relegation.

The Ghanaian joined Valenciennes only in the January window, arguably to fill the void left by Vincent Aboubakar in the previous window, and has scored 9 goals putting him among the top scorers in the second half of the season. He isn’t shy to move out wide and play as a winger but is also good with the ball at his feet in and around the box. He has also scored two braces, the first was in Valenciennes’ exciting 2-2 draw with Sochaux and the other was in a losing effort vs Ajaccio. His performance vs Nice helped him feature in the #TalentRadar Team of the Week.