Football has been put on pause amid the Coronavirus pandemic but while we wait eagerly for its return, we can take stock of the season so far.
This is an opportunity to focus on some of the new players who have burst onto the scene this term.
Here, we list Ligue 1’s five breakthrough stars of this season, only considering players who have made a maximum of 10 appearances in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
YACINE ADLI
Yacine Adli.
From yet another largely forgettable – on the pitch, anyway – campaign for sleeping giant Bordeaux, an enterprising figure is emerging.
Outstanding France youth international Adli joined a growing list last August of stunted starlets who chose to escape Paris Saint-Germain, finding a new home at Matmut Atlantique. Just like ex-club-mate Christopher Nkunku, now shining for the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig, the playmaker’s endeavour has been vindicated.
The gangly Adli injects a welcome sense of the unknown into Les Girondins’ play. This daring side sees him happy to advance the ball, whether through inventive passing or penetrative dribbling.
Opposition goalkeepers must also be alert, at all times, to a rasping long-range shot. He has the joint-second largest tally (three) of goals from outside the penalty box, without scoring within it, in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues during 2019/20, according to Opta.
Expected inconsistencies from a 19-year-old remain, yet there is a reason Africa Cup of Nations holders Algeria covet his presence. Adli’s is a burgeoning talent to admire.
EDUARDO CAMAVINGA
Eduardo Camavinga.
An atypical football prodigy has shone for Rennes throughout 2019/20.
Expectations were confounded in August when Camavinga, then 16, dominated chastened champions Paris Saint-Germain during a famous 2-1 victory. Youthful talents tearing apart heavyweight opposition in a breakthrough performance is nothing new, think compatriot Kylian Mbappe at Monaco, yet to do this from the base of midfield is, virtually, unheard of.
Camavinga’s measured brilliance has been a highlight of 2019/20 in Ligue 1. It has also drawn repeat links in Spanish sports daily AS to Real Madrid and a €50 million transfer.
The Angola-born, France Under 21 international has gone on to become the only player in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues to attempt more than 100 tackles, according to Opta.
His raking ball that teed up Romain Del Castillo’s decider versus PSG, however, showcased why he is no mere ball winner. This made him the youngest player to record an assist since the aforementioned statisticians started analysing Ligue 1 in 2006/07.
These are the, unnaturally composed, early steps in a potentially legendary career.
RAYAN AIT NOURI
Rayan Ait Nouri.
It was a shuddering end to a sensational breakthrough campaign.
January’s broken jaw against Nice for rampaging left-back Ait Nouri appeared to have ruled him out of 2019/20’s remaining months after being an ever-present for Angers.
It also shut the door on reports of an impending switch to Crystal Palace, although Atletico Madrid – according to Le Quotidien du Foot – join a growing list of admirers tempted by a €35m summer transfer.
Ait Nouri, 18, had burst into the continent’s consciousness with two assists in his opening three Ligue 1 run-outs of the season. That this was done from defence only added to the allure.
The France Under-21 international’s return is, rightly, highly anticipated.
IMRAN LOUZA
Imran Louza.
Another gem, appears, to have been mined by Nantes.
Louza, 20, has emerged as an authoritative force for Les Canaris in 2019/20. Whether pressed up into an attacking role, or dropped back ahead of the defence, the France Under-21 cap has excelled thanks to his innate football intelligence.
A ratio of 1.5 key passes per 90 minutes, according to Wyscout, is the second best at Nantes and the highest for any U-21 player in Ligue 1.
This ability to poise searching questions was best exemplified by February’s pivotal role in a 3-1 win at Marseille from which he produced the assist for Abdoul Kader Bamba’s effort to make it 2-1.
Calciomercato have already reported that the prospect has emerged on AC Milan’s radar. Nantes alumnus Marcel Desailly became a superstar at San Siro – will Louza follow in his illustrious footsteps?
WESLEY FOFANA
Wesley Fofana.
Rich promise defines Saint-Etienne’s centre-back duo.
William Saliba will only have a short stay at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard after a £27 million switch to Arsenal for 2020/21 was agreed last July. But the Les Verts faithful should be graced by fellow 19-year-old defender Fofana for some time to come.
This week’s colourful announcement of a contract extension until 2024 bolsters a club who’ve grown weary about seeing their brightest talents depart, all too soon.
The assertive Fofana has made more interceptions per 90 minutes (2.7) than any other centre-back – according to WhoScored – with 10+ appearances in Ligue 1 this season. He also leads the way at Nantes for aerials won per 90 minutes, his average of 4.5 being the fourth best in the French top flight.
Suitors Monaco and Milan, according to L’Equipe, will have to wait. For now.
