Top 10 Young Ligue 1 Players To Watch Out For
Neal Maupay
The French have taken a back seat at the top of World football as the more popular German, English, Spanish & Italian leagues dominate. A rush of financial muscle has seen the footballing world take notice. OOTB’s attraction towards the Western European country remains its young talents, and there are plenty. Here is a list of the Top 10 Young Ligue 1 Players you need to watch out for.
Please note that to maintain standardisation, this list includes players who are 21 and below, and will remain so until August 31st, 2013 (hence why the likes of James Rodriguez & Alexandre Lacazette don’t make it). Also, like much of our content, we are avoiding the ‘mainstream’ attraction and providing readers a list of players that are not as established as some of the others in their age category. Marco Verratti, Lucas Moura etc, although young, are established in the footballing world, and are players you will probably watch out for anyway, without us telling you.
10. Neal Maupay
Age: 16 years old
Club: OGC Nice
Nationality: French
Position: Striker
The French U-17 international will only turn 17 later this month but has already notched up 3 professional goals in his career since his debut in 2012. OGC Nice, along with Lyon & Rennes, have the youngest average squad in the 2013-14 Ligue 1. Having gained a lot of experience with the second side the last campaign, manager Claude Puel will definitely have plans for the young attacker this season.
Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
9. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
Age: 19 years old
Club: AS Monaco
Nationality: Belgian
Position: Winger
Despite the millions pumped into AS Monaco, Claudio Ranieri has a whole host of young talents to give opportunities too. Yannick Carrasco who arrived at the French club from famed Belgian academy, Genk, much before the millions from Russia did is one such footballer who could have an instrumental season. The Belgium U-21 international was given his break in the first team last campaign, with Monaco in the second division, scoring 6 goals as he helped his side into Ligue 1.
Samuel Umtiti
8. Samuel Umtiti
Age: 19 years old
Club: Lyon
Nationality: French
Position: Centre Back
After years of success at the top, Lyon is going through a transition phase with plenty of focus on blooding the youth. An average squad age of 23.7 is a testament to their youthful policy, with 19-yr-old Samuel Umtiti at the height of it. The Cameroonian born central defender has established himself at the heart of Lyon’s defence, and will continue to be given opportunities this new campaign.