Each season, several players explode in Ligue 1. Sport24-Le Figaro delivers a non-exhaustive list of those who are likely to ignite the 2020-2021 exercise of the French championship and thus reveal themselves to the general public.
Adil Aouchiche (Saint-Etienne, 18 years old):
Great Parisian hope, he left the club of the free capital to sign his first professional contract with AS Saint-Etienne where he seems to have the confidence of Claude Puel. Adil Aouchiche is a very technical midfielder, who especially likes to evolve behind the center forward. His sense of movement, his feints and his excellent passing quality can allow him to establish himself as the master to play of the Greens this season.
Aouchiche's first goal with PSG
Hicham Boudaoui (Nice, 20 years old):
Arrived on the side of OGC Nice last summer, he did not have the opportunity to shine much in 2019-2020. For this season, the 20-year-old is expected. A very complete relay midfielder, he has a large volume of play that allows him to harass the opponent in pressing, to scratch a lot of balls but also to project himself, with and without the ball. A good technician, he can also create differences through breakthroughs or passes. It will be interesting to see his evolution in the game project set up by Patrick Vieira and particularly next to rookie Morgan Schneiderlin.
Rayan Cherki (Lyon, 17 years old):
It is the nugget of Olympique Lyonnais. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who made his professional debut in 2019-2020 (6 matches in L1, 3 in the Coupe de France, 2 in the Coupe de la Ligue and 2 in the Champions League), should have more opportunity to put forward in 2020-2021, especially if the Rhone club were to separate from several of its attacking players. His elimination capacity in small spaces, his spontaneity and his passing quality should allow him to shine in a team that will be focused on the championship. He is naturally one of the players to watch for this new Ligue 1 season!
Jonathan David (Lille, 20 years old):
Arrived in Lille in August from La Gantoise for 32 million euros, Jonathan David was prized by many teams this summer. The Canadian attacking midfielder or striker had an excellent season in 2019-2020 with no less than 18 goals and 8 assists in Jupiler Pro League as well as 3 goals in 7 Europa League games. Very good statistics for a player of his age and who does not only evolve as a center-forward. Hitting, skillful on the ball and effective in front of goal, he should have the opportunity to demonstrate his talent in the Lille device.
Wesley Fofana (Saint-Etienne, 19):
The central defender of AS Saint-Etienne had a good 2019-2020 season. He gradually established himself in the central defense of the Greens and particularly distinguished himself in the Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain. With the departures of Loïc Perrin (retirement) and William Saliba (Arsenal), he should be an indisputable holder. Strong in duels, courageous and comfortable in anticipation, the 19-year-old could become one of the best defenders in the championship in 2019-2020.
Amine Gouiri (Nice, 20 years old):
Considered a very talented youngster, Amine Gouiri struggled to win at Olympique Lyonnais. He left his training club this summer to join OGC Nice where he should have more playing time. The 20-year-old striker, who can play on the left side or in the axis, is above all a very skilled ball-kicking player who likes to eliminate. Very mobile, he enjoys participating in the game. He also knows how to show coolness in the face of goal. He could well reveal himself under the orders of Patrick Vieira.
Pape Gueye (Marseille, 21 years old):
Compared by some to Paul Pogba because of his physical profile - 1m89 - and his style of play, Pape Gueye had a very convincing 2019-2020 season. The defensive midfielder, who can also evolve as a relay midfielder, was in the sights of several French and foreign clubs. He had signed up with Watford before finally joining Olympique de Marseille. Good recuperator and rather solid in duels, he especially excels with the ball. He has good game vision and a nice left paw that allows him to deliver good long vertical passes. He does not leave, for the moment, holder of OM but he still had to benefit from a significant playing time thanks to the sequence of matches.
Pape Gueye's first goal with OM
Enzo Le Fée (Lorient, 20 years old):
Author of a very good season in Ligue 2 (26 matches, 2 assists), Enzo Le Fée established himself at under 20 as one of the major players of the Merlus. With an excellent technique, the one who evolves as a central midfielder or an attacking midfielder is very comfortable with the ball on the foot thanks to his low center of gravity and short support. He sits well between the lines, is capable of making breakthroughs with the ball and has good vision and good passing quality. He only needs to be more decisive to explode in Ligue 1.
Isaac Lihadji (Lille, 18 years old):
He refused to sign professionally with Olympique de Marseille, his training club, to join LOSC this summer. The right winger, considered a hope of French football, hopes to benefit from an important playing time this season in order to let his talent shine through. The 18-year-old forward is a fast player who likes to challenge the ball in the foot. He particularly appreciates getting back on his left foot - coming from the right - to dribble, pass or try to conclude an action. He has all the qualities to be decisive with the Lille club in 2020-2021.
Yoane Wissa (Lorient, 23 years old):
After a very good season in Ligue 2 (15 goals and 4 assists), Yoane Wissa will have to confirm at the top level this season. The Merlus striker, able to evolve to a point or to the left side, has all the qualities to succeed in Ligue 1. Quick, he knows how to make excellent calls at the limit of offside to find himself in a favorable situation . He is also comfortable with the ball and efficient in front of goal. He is also mobile and opportunistic in the area to receive crosses and shake the nets. We should see it to his advantage!
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