Mbappé, Laborde, Fofana… Our typical Ligue 1 team at mid-season

The goalkeeper

This summer, his future was uncertain.

Olympique Lyonnais, and in particular their new coach Peter Bosz, hoped to recruit André Onana, suspended for doping and who was entering his last year of contract with Ajax Amsterdam.

It is clear that the threat of seeing his status eroded did not upset him in any way.

A few months later, it is indeed Anthony Lopes who is acclaimed by our editorial staff to appear in our typical Ligue 1 team at mid-season.

To discover

• Ligue 1 fixtures and results

• League 1 standings

To read also "We are 12th in L1, it is unacceptable": Anthony Lopes recovered after the failure against Bordeaux

After several disappointing exercises, the Rhone goalkeeper returned to his best level.

If he was not always irreproachable - he was excluded in the derby against AS Saint-Etienne - he was decisive on many occasions with, among other things, some exceptional parades.

The Portuguese has 66 saves to his name, more than any other goalkeeper in the French elite.

Without him, Olympique Lyonnais would undoubtedly have a few points less.

Two other names were mentioned.

They are Walter Benitez, very good with OGC Nice since the start of the season, and Pau Lopez, who won brilliantly in the cages of Olympique de Marseille to the detriment of Steve Mandanda.

Read alsoOM: How Pau Lopez put (almost) everyone in agreement

The defenders

Our central hinge is made up of Marquinhos and William Saliba, two players who garnered most of the votes. The Brazilian, able to bring an extra soul to Paris Saint-Germain through his character, has remained as intractable in duels and in playing the game as in past years. Challenged on several occasions, the Rouge et Bleu would not have such a comfortable lead in the standings over their competitors if their captain had not been so brilliant in this first part of the season. By virtue of his athletic qualities, his science of placement, as well as his ability to playfully participate in the construction of the game, the Frenchman, who arrived on La Canebière this summer on loan from Arsenal, did not take long to become an essential part of the Marseille workforce.He is one of the main cogs in the very fine defensive base of Olympique Marseille; team which has conceded the fewest goals so far but which has one game less. Dante, very good with the Aiglons since his return, was also cited.

Read alsoSolid, playful, elegant ... The defense of OM is also a show

On the right side of the defense, no surprise since our writing has chosen to align Jonathan Clauss. The Racing Club de Lens right piston continued its momentum from last season. Untenable on his wing, he proved to be a constant threat to the opponents of the Blood and Gold as evidenced by his very good statistics: 2 goals and 7 assists. He is well ahead of Fabien Centonze and Hamari Traoré, effective respectively with FC Metz and Stade Rennais. On the left, the battle was tighter. Finally, it's Caio Henrique who joins our typical team. In a team with results below expectations, the Portuguese managed to pull out of the game by delivering 4 offerings for his teammates. The Monegasque competed with the Niçois Melvin Bard,Lensois Przemyslaw Frankowski and Rennais Adrien Truffert.

Our typical Ligue 1 team at mid-season.

Le Figaro

Midfielders

In the middle of the field, it's simple, Seko Fofana was unanimous. It must be said that the Ivorian midfielder of Racing Club de Lens had a sensational first part of the season. His activity in the midfield, his physical impact, his ability to break lines by passing or dribbling or even his propensity to project himself into the last opposing third - with 5 goals on the clock - make him the boss of the Sang et Or and one of the best players in Ligue 1. In the midfield, he is associated with another exceptional player: Téji Savanier. Orphan of the remarkable attacking duo that formed Andy Delort and Gaëtan Laborde, the Montpellier playmaker has taken on a new dimension in recent months. He carried his team, which occupies a surprising 5th position in the standings. His statistics speak for him:4 goals and 5 assists in 15 games played, almost as many as last season (27 matches, 5 goals, 5 offerings). Idrissa Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain), Flavien Tait (Stade Rennais) and Aurélien Tchouameni (AS Monaco) each received one vote.

Read alsoTéji Savanier, the show at the service of efficiency

A little higher, it was a nice neck and neck that took place between Lucas Paqueta and Dimitri Payet.

A fight narrowly won by the Marseillais.

A true master at playing for the Phocaeans, the Reunionese shines under the orders of Jorge Sampaoli, in a position of playmaker, or false number nine, and has shown himself decisive on multiple occasions (6 goals and 6 assists).

The Lyonnais, so sparkling at the start of the championship, undoubtedly suffers from the poor results of his team and his recent decline.

SEE ALSO -

Dimitri Payet's best goals with Olympique de Marseille

Attackers

In front, a trio is largely detached. With 9 goals scored and 8 assists delivered - he is so far the best passer in the championship - Kylian Mbappé has worn Paris Saint-Germain in recent months. Despite the arrival of the now seven-time Ballon d'Or Lionel Messi in the capital, the French international is still the most decisive player in Mauricio Pochettino's squad. Without its ability to score, or to score, there is no doubt that the Red and Blue would not have won so many matches. The world champion occupies the left flank of our attack. On the other side, we find Gaëtan Laborde. Author of a great start to the season with Montpellier, the 27-year-old striker (9 goals, 6 last assists) continued to chain goals with Stade Rennais. If the Breton club is also well classified,this is in large part thanks to its magnificent services.

Gaëtan Laborde, the man who gave color to the Reds and Blacks

Finally, at the forefront, it is Jonathan David who has been favored by our editorial staff.

Top scorer in the championship, the Canadian has already found the net 11 times.

However, his excellent performances have not, for the moment, allowed LOSC to confirm their title acquired last season.

Ludovic Ajorque, brilliant with RC Strasbourg Alsace (9 goals, 5 offerings) was also mentioned.