Robin Bairner
Joao Neves, Jonathan David, Rayan Cherki
© IMAGO
Ligue 1 continues to be dominated by PSG, but the outstanding performers this season have come across a number of clubs who are jostling just behind Luis Enrique’s league leaders.
The likes of Marseille, Lille and Lyon are all competitive this season, with several new faces to Le Championnat making an appearance in FootballTransfers’ Team of the Season so far.
PSG, though, are still the dominant force, with no fewer than four players making the club.
Our team lines up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Lucas Chevalier – Lille
One of the best young goalkeepers in the world, Chevalier has distinguished himself with some outstanding displays both in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season. Les Dogues owe much to their shot-stopper that they have enjoyed a lengthy undefeated run and are installed in the top four.
Achraf Hakimi – PSG
Probably the best player in Ligue 1 this season, Hakimi has been a dashing offensive presence for PSG down the right, leading some pundits to cheekily dub him the most reliable attacking player at the Parc des Princes side.
Wilfried Singo – Monaco
It’s shaping up to be an excellent sophomore campaign for the centre-back, who has been a formidable presence in the heart of the Monaco defence. Adi Hutter’s side are the best defensively in the division this season, and Singo’s performances have been a major reason.
Willian Pacho – PSG
Having arrived for big money from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, PSG appear to have themselves a gem in the form of the 23-year-old Ecuador international. He’s everything that Luis Enrique’s side were missing last season, providing quick and strong cover alongside Marquinhos. They could not have hoped for him to settle more impressively.
Nicolas Tagliafico - Lyon
There’s been a dearth of quality performers at left-back in Ligue 1 this season, with PSG’s Nuno Mendes not having had enough game time to make this side. Tagliafico has, however, performed steadily for Lyon.
Joao Neves – PSG
Another new addition to Luis Enrique’s side who has fitted in seamlessly. His €60m move from Benfica in the summer was one that might have weighed the young Portuguese down. Instead, he has flourished. Not only is he providing fluidity in the midfield, he is also creating and scoring goals – an unexpected bonus.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Marseille
Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille did well to secure the services of Hojbjerg on loan last summer, with the 29-year-old Tottenham star providing them with a platform to build their attacks. While some of OM’s new arrivals have blown hot and cold, such as Mason Greenwood and Elye Wahi, Hojbjerg has been a model of consistency – not easy when it’s been chaos at times around him.
Rayan Cherki – Lyon
Cherki has enjoyed an up-and-down campaign. He was, after all, frozen out in the early weeks of the season with Lyon as he refused to sign a new contract. Now back in favour he is back to his best.
“People are watching less football today, and I want to bring back the football of the past,” he told L’Equipe in an interview on 11 December. He’s certainly doing that by showing some devastating individual skills.
People are watching less football today, and I want to bring back the football of the past
- Rayan Cherki (L'Equipe)
Elisse Ben Seghir – Monaco
After a couple of injury-hit seasons, the 19-year-old is showing the world what he can do at Stade Louis II. Capable of playing through the middle or on the left, the teenager is one of Monaco’s main creative hubs and along with Maghnes Akliouche a young player who is rapidly going places. Already has four goals and three assists – and would no doubt have more decisive passes had Monaco a striker worthy of the name.
Bradley Barcola – PSG
Was handed the difficult job of replacing Kylian Mbappe as PSG’s main offensive threat this season and, for the most part, has sparkled. Already up to 10 Ligue 1 goals, and while his confidence seems to have dipped a little in recent weeks, there’s no arguing that he has been one of the main attractions at Parc des Princes this season.
Jonathan David – Lille
Out of contract in the summer, Jonathan David is doing everything to win himself a big more. He is Ligue 1’s top scorer on 11 goals and has proven himself in the Champions League by scoring against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. Several of his strikes have been penalties, but it would be hard to argue against his overall contribution being the best among Ligue 1 centre-forwards.
Read more about: Ligue 1, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Monaco, PSG, Achraf Hakimi, Bradley Barcola, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Jonathan David, João Neves, Lucas Chevalier, Nicolas Tagliafico, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Rayan Cherki, Stephane Singo, William Pacho