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#4 Samuel Umtiti
Umtiti’s tryst with football started when he joined Menival as a 5-year-old. Four years later, the Frenchman joined Lyon’s fabled academy. Umtiti’s defensive qualities came to the fore at a very young age and at the academy, he was shaped into an able defender. His skills were sharpened and he rose through the ranks, proving his capabilities at the youth level. He made his debut for Lyon in the 2011/12 season and had begun to attract eyeballs with his assured performances at the back by the following year. By his third season with the senior team, Umtiti had established himself as a regular first-team member and had turned into a defensive rock for his team.
The Frenchman’s style of play, his keen reading of the game, and his ability to take control of the situation saw his stock rise with every passing season. By the end of the 2015/16 season, La Liga giants Barcelona had begun keeping tabs on him. Umtiti joined the Catalans in the summer of 2016 and immediately became a first-team regular. The Frenchman has enjoyed a largely successful spell with the reigning La Liga Champions, even though injuries have been his bane in recent times.
