Ranking the 10 best players in Ligue 1 this year (2020)

PSG have once again been the dominant force in Ligue 1 in 2020
PSG have once again been the dominant force in Ligue 1 in 2020

Ligue 1 was one of the first leagues to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. As this tumultuous year winds down, the importance of football, and sport in general, has been realized by most people across the world. As the pandemic left people confined to their homes, football coming back offered some reprieve from the terrible year that was 2020.

France was one of the countries that was ravaged by the virus, which lead to the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season being cut short and the title being handed to PSG, who were top of the table at the time. This season, however, the French champions find themselves in a proper title race, as Lille and Lyon have emerged as the two early contenders for PSG's crown. The Parisians currently sit third in the Ligue 1 table, one point behind Lyon and Lille.

Ligue 1 has always produced superstars, from the likes of Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho to more recent players like Eden Hazard. Also, the spending power of a club like PSG has attracted some of the world's biggest names to France, and this has only increased the overall quality of the French league.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the10 best Ligue 1 players in 2020.


#10 Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)

Eduardo Camavinga in action for Rennes
Eduardo Camavinga in action for Rennes

Eduardo Camavinga announced himself to the footballing world last season. The young French midfielder truly broke out as one of the future superstars of world football with his performances for Rennes.

Camavinga, who turned 18 in November, was an integral part of a Rennes side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Champions League and has only improved with every game he's played. The midfielder became the youngest player and goal-scorer for the French national team in over a century with a goal earlier this year.

Camavinga has shown skill and technique on the ball which has drawn comparisons to the likes of Paul Pogba and Patrick Vieira. The midfielder has become one of Rennes' most vital players, pulling strings in the middle of the park and carrying the ball forward with his excellent dribbling abilities.

One can expect a big club to attempt to buy Camavinga soon, as the sky looks to be the limit for the French prodigy.


#9 Moussa Dembele (Lyon)

Moussa Dembele was on fire for Lyon last season
Moussa Dembele was on fire for Lyon last season

Moussa Dembele enjoyed a terrific campaign in the 2019-20 season. The French striker was one of the standout players in a Lyon side that underperformed domestically, finishing 7th in Ligue 1.

Dembele finished the season as Lyon's top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions, finding the net 16 times in Ligue 1. He also famously netted a brace in the Champions League quarter-finals to knock Manchester City out of the competition.

Dembele has had a slow start to this season, having come off the bench for the majority of his appearances. The French striker also recently broke his arm in training which will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.


#8 Jonathan Bamba (Lille)

Jonathan Bamba has been one of Ligue 1's standout performers this season
Jonathan Bamba has been one of Ligue 1's standout performers this season

Jonathan Bamba has started this season on fire. The French winger has been the driving force for Lille as they continue to put in stellar performances in Ligue 1 this season.

Bamba, who was awarded the Ligue 1 player of the month for October, has been ripping apart defenses in Lille's quick counter-attacking style of play. The Frenchman has already scored 5 goals and assisted a further six in the 2020-21 campaign.

If he keeps performing at this level, you can expect the 24-year-old winger to attract attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.


#7 Houssem Aouar (Lyon)

Houssem Aouar was Lyon's talisman last season
Houssem Aouar was Lyon's talisman last season

Although only 22-years-old, Houssem Aouar has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. The Frenchman has been immense for Lyon over the past few seasons and his stock has only risen in 2020.

Aouar brings a mix of flair and dynamism in midfield which have drawn comparisons to another French midfielder by the name of Zinedine Zidane. Aouar has also shown that he has an eye for goal, often being able to find the back of the net when presented with a chance. He already has three goals and four assists in Ligue 1 this season.

Aouar has been the subject of constant transfer speculation, with a move to Arsenal reportedly falling apart in the summer. The Frenchman's future looks set to be away from Lyon sooner rather than later.


#6 Angel Di Maria (PSG)

Di Maria has been one of PSG's most reliable players
Di Maria has been one of PSG's most reliable players

Angel Di Maria had a stellar year for the French champions last season. The Argentine was PSG's chief provider last season, with 20 assists across all competitions.

Di Maria has been one of PSG's most important players since his move from Manchester United. The 32-year-old can play across the front line in any attacking position and has proved to be a menace for most defenders he has come up against.

Di Maria hasn't looked like slowing down this season either, as he has already recorded five assists in Ligue 1 along with a further two in the Champions League. If PSG are going to win any silverware this season, you can be sure that Di Maria would have had a big role to play.


#5 Mike Maignan (Lille)

Mike Maignan in action in the Champions League
Mike Maignan in action in the Champions League

Mike Maignan has been the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 in 2020. The Frenchman has been one of the main reasons why Lille have been performing at such a high level on a weekly basis.

The shot-stopper won the Golden Glove last season after keeping 12 clean sheets in 28 Ligue 1 appearances. Maignan has become a commanding presence in the box and has vastly improved his distribution this season.

The 25-year-old has already kept eight clean sheets in the 17 games he's played this season, as Lille currently sit second in the Ligue 1 standings.


#4 Memphis Depay (Lyon)

Memphis Depay has found his feet at Lyon
Memphis Depay has found his feet at Lyon

Memphis Depay has become one of the world's most dangerous players since joining Lyon. The Dutchman has taken Ligue 1 by storm after enduring a torrid time at Manchester United.

The Dutch international missed most of last season with injury but did score nine goals in twelve Ligue 1 appearances. Depay hasn't missed a beat this season, having scored eight goals and assisting a further four in his 13 starts for Lyon in Ligue 1.

The Dutchman's performances have seen him being linked with a move to Barcelona, with compatriot Ronald Koeman apparently being a fan of what Depay can bring to the table.


#3 Wissam Ben-Yedder (Monaco)

Ben Yedder has been the standout performer for Monaco
Ben Yedder has been the standout performer for Monaco

Wissam Ben-Yedder has been Ligue 1's best striker in 2020, barring a certain other Frenchman who we'll get to later. The diminutive forward has been putting in stellar performances for Monaco consistently and has been one of the main reasons why Nico Kovac's side has been doing so well.

Ben-Yedder was tied for Ligue 1's top scorer with 18 goals last season, and his goal-scoring exploits have shown no signs of slowing down. The French forward already has seven goals and four assists this season, as he has partnered Kevin Volland upfront for Monaco.

Ben-Yedder causes havoc to opposition defenses with his pace, movement and dribbling abilities. The forward has shown his playmaking abilities as well, having dropped back into midfield on several occasions.


#2 Neymar (PSG)

Neymar has been spectacular for PSG
Neymar has been spectacular for PSG

Not much to be said here, Neymar is simply world-class. The PSG forward has made Ligue 1 look like his back garden since joining the French champions from Barcelona.

The only thing holding back Neymar from topping the list is his injury record, with the Brazilian finding himself on the injury list way too often over his stint with PSG. Neymar has never managed more than 20 Ligue 1 appearances in a season for PSG since joining the club in 2017.

The Brazilian superstar finished last season with 13 goals and six assists in fifteen league appearances and already has three goals and assists apiece in his seven appearances this season.


#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Mbappe has the potential to be one of the greatest players of all time
Mbappe has the potential to be one of the greatest players of all time

Kylian Mbappe has taken Ligue 1 by storm since bursting onto the scene with Monaco in 2015. The French forward just seems to be getting better and better every season, as he has already established himself as one of the best players on the planet.

The 22-year-old won the Golden Boot last season after scoring 18 goals in his 17 starts as PSG ran away with the Ligue 1 title. The Frenchman has continued to put up ridiculous numbers this season as well, finding the back of the net 12 times in 13 Ligue 1 appearances.

Mbappe has been the best player in Ligue 1 this year and it's not even close. The young forward doesn't seem to have a problem scoring against any team he comes up against. Given the fact that he's still so young, it's terrifying to think about the heights Mbappe could reach in his career.

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian