Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Free transfer XI
My French league scouting has continued unabashed this week. There just seem to be an incredible amount of talented players at the moment.
I've put together a free transfer XI of young talents from Ligue 1 and 2. I've left out the likes of Rabiot because they aren't realistic targets for Championship / lower Premier League clubs.
Instead, I have a list of high potential young players who would probably be open to offers from teams at that level and whose wages would be affordable.
GK - Abdoulaye Diallo
Diallo, 26, is your classic reserve goalkeeper. He has been with Rennes his whole career, but with two long loan spells, one with Le Havre and one in Turkey. He is a full international with 17 caps for Senegal after a youth international career with France. He tends to play European and cup games for Rennes. A thigh injury has ruled him out at the moment, which is unfortunate timing with his contract set to end.
RB -Patrick Burner
Buner, a 22 year old, attacking right back has lost his place in the OGC Nice lineup to Yousef Atal. He actually profiles quite similarly, so could be a prime example of a player with blocked pathways. He was showing up really well last season under Favre, with excellent dribbling and passing statistics.
LB - Youssouf Kone
Kone, now 23, has only just broken through at Lille in the last few weeks. In the 9 games he has played in he has looked excellent. League-leading levels of deep progressions and tackles. Out of contract in the summer he could be a steal.
DC - Jean-Kevin Duverne
Into Ligue 2 for both my centre backs. Duverne was very highly rated, completing 36 games for RC Lens as a 20 year old and linked with big clubs. Then he ruptured a cruciate ligament and was injured until last week. He returned to a great welcome from the fans. If he can stay healthy and return to the form that saw him valued at £5m two seasons ago he would be a great buy.
DC - Harold Moukoudi
Le Havre contract rebel Moukoudi is an aerially dominant centre back, great at attacking the ball in both boxes. He has been linked with clubs as wide-ranging as Dortmund and Aston Villa. Somewhere in between feels about right.
MC - Olivier Kemen
Newcastle fans might vaguely recognise this name. Signed as a youngster Kemen spend a few years on Tyneside before joining Lyon. A French U19 captain he can play as either a defensive or offensive midfielder. Lyon signed him and he made a few fleeting appearances for them. There is no shame in not being at the same level as Ndombele and he has let his contract run down. At 22 he still has hope of a good career, but the next more will have to be the right one.
MC - Remi Walter
After a good loan spell in Ligue 2, Walter, who OGC Nice spent nearly £2m on as a teenage French youth international, was deemed surplus to requirements and offers were accepted for him by Greek and Turkish clubs. He refused the moves to fight for his place and has broken through midway through this season to play in a central midfield role, recently scoring the winner against Lyon. However, he only has 4 months left on his contract.
MC - Jean-Richer Bellegarde
More of a gamble would be Bellegarde of RC Lens. Another French youth international, he is another gifted midfielder. A move to Getafe collapsed, and he is finding tough competition in the Lens midfield from Chieck Doucoure so perhaps he will be less sought after in the summer.
LW- Arnaud Nordin
Nordin, a 20 year old winger of Saint Etienne, has only played limited minutes in Ligue 1, but in those minutes he has shone with excellent dribbling and attempts on goal. The contractual situation seems complex with talked about extensions never being confirmed. He looks a real talent so interest is sure to be high.
RW - Zinedine Ferhat
An Algerian international who made headlines with 20 assists last season in Ligue 2. A move to Nantes looked certain but didn't complete. With another 6 assists already this year he has shown his creative skills again. His contract expires this summer. At 25 he may be too old to move to a huge club. But his skills are superb, as are his set pieces.
CF - Dylan Saint-Louis
There aren't any superstar strikers on the free transfer list this summer. However Dylan Saint-Louis at 23 has shown promise for a number of years. Currently with Paris FC, and formerly with Saint Etienne, he was linked to a number of clubs two summers ago. Choosing Paris hasn't worked out but the DR Congo international could reinvigorate his career elsewhere.
I've put together a free transfer XI of young talents from Ligue 1 and 2. I've left out the likes of Rabiot because they aren't realistic targets for Championship / lower Premier League clubs.
Instead, I have a list of high potential young players who would probably be open to offers from teams at that level and whose wages would be affordable.
GK - Abdoulaye Diallo
Diallo, 26, is your classic reserve goalkeeper. He has been with Rennes his whole career, but with two long loan spells, one with Le Havre and one in Turkey. He is a full international with 17 caps for Senegal after a youth international career with France. He tends to play European and cup games for Rennes. A thigh injury has ruled him out at the moment, which is unfortunate timing with his contract set to end.
RB -Patrick Burner
Buner, a 22 year old, attacking right back has lost his place in the OGC Nice lineup to Yousef Atal. He actually profiles quite similarly, so could be a prime example of a player with blocked pathways. He was showing up really well last season under Favre, with excellent dribbling and passing statistics.
LB - Youssouf Kone
Kone, now 23, has only just broken through at Lille in the last few weeks. In the 9 games he has played in he has looked excellent. League-leading levels of deep progressions and tackles. Out of contract in the summer he could be a steal.
DC - Jean-Kevin Duverne
Into Ligue 2 for both my centre backs. Duverne was very highly rated, completing 36 games for RC Lens as a 20 year old and linked with big clubs. Then he ruptured a cruciate ligament and was injured until last week. He returned to a great welcome from the fans. If he can stay healthy and return to the form that saw him valued at £5m two seasons ago he would be a great buy.
DC - Harold Moukoudi
Le Havre contract rebel Moukoudi is an aerially dominant centre back, great at attacking the ball in both boxes. He has been linked with clubs as wide-ranging as Dortmund and Aston Villa. Somewhere in between feels about right.
MC - Olivier Kemen
Newcastle fans might vaguely recognise this name. Signed as a youngster Kemen spend a few years on Tyneside before joining Lyon. A French U19 captain he can play as either a defensive or offensive midfielder. Lyon signed him and he made a few fleeting appearances for them. There is no shame in not being at the same level as Ndombele and he has let his contract run down. At 22 he still has hope of a good career, but the next more will have to be the right one.
MC - Remi Walter
After a good loan spell in Ligue 2, Walter, who OGC Nice spent nearly £2m on as a teenage French youth international, was deemed surplus to requirements and offers were accepted for him by Greek and Turkish clubs. He refused the moves to fight for his place and has broken through midway through this season to play in a central midfield role, recently scoring the winner against Lyon. However, he only has 4 months left on his contract.
MC - Jean-Richer Bellegarde
More of a gamble would be Bellegarde of RC Lens. Another French youth international, he is another gifted midfielder. A move to Getafe collapsed, and he is finding tough competition in the Lens midfield from Chieck Doucoure so perhaps he will be less sought after in the summer.
LW- Arnaud Nordin
Nordin, a 20 year old winger of Saint Etienne, has only played limited minutes in Ligue 1, but in those minutes he has shone with excellent dribbling and attempts on goal. The contractual situation seems complex with talked about extensions never being confirmed. He looks a real talent so interest is sure to be high.
RW - Zinedine Ferhat
An Algerian international who made headlines with 20 assists last season in Ligue 2. A move to Nantes looked certain but didn't complete. With another 6 assists already this year he has shown his creative skills again. His contract expires this summer. At 25 he may be too old to move to a huge club. But his skills are superb, as are his set pieces.
CF - Dylan Saint-Louis
There aren't any superstar strikers on the free transfer list this summer. However Dylan Saint-Louis at 23 has shown promise for a number of years. Currently with Paris FC, and formerly with Saint Etienne, he was linked to a number of clubs two summers ago. Choosing Paris hasn't worked out but the DR Congo international could reinvigorate his career elsewhere.
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