7 Ligue 1 starlets to keep an eye on this season

French football is famous for producing copious amounts of talented young players. The summer transfer window in France regularly witnesses an exodus of the country’s top talents and this summer has been no exception. In fact, it seems French players are in greater demand than ever because of the excellent value for money that they represent.

With Ligue 1’s continental rivals able to gazump the majority of Le Championnat’s teams, the obvious exception being Paris Saint-Germain and possibly AS Monaco, these clearouts are likely to remain a frequent occurrence.

However, they may even become more severe, depending on the success of this summer’s exports. The only thing you can be sure of is that a new wave of young French talent will rise up and replace those departed.

1. Jean-Kevin Augustin (Paris Saint-Germain)

Despite being able to spend lavishly on established star players courtesy of their ambitious Qatari owners, PSG still possess one of French football’s most fertile youth academies. Jean-Kevin Augustin is the latest gem off the conveyor belt of homegrown talent at Parc des Princes and unlike many before him, he might actually have the ability to make himself a part of the French champions’ big plans for the future.

Aged just 18, the versatile attacking talent is capable of playing through the middle and out wide and mixes power with pace. Prolific at youth level in the French capital and wanted by a number of European sides, PSG signed him to his first professional contract back in February. Augustin enjoyed a clinical pre-season, scoring five goals in as many games, and the France-born attacker of Haitian lineage has already featured regularly as a substitute and even a starter for Laurent Blanc’s men this season. Recently called up to France’s under-19 squad for the first time, Augustin has usurped Adrien Rabiot as PSG’s hottest homegrown prospect.

2. Samuel Umtiti (Olympique Lyonnais)

It will surprise many to hear that Lyon’s Umtiti is still just 21. It feels like he has been around for years and the fact that he has been in les Gones’ first team for so long is testament to his impressive ability.

More experienced than your average defender, Umtiti is a physically imposing centre-back. The France under-21 international has come a long way since his days playing as a makeshift left-back and is now well on his way to becoming a genuine world class central defender. Umtiti communicates well, possesses excellent organisational skills, is strong in the air and surprisingly adept with the ball at his feet. He also reads the game well and is fast for a defender. Lots of European sides are already interested in Umtiti, but this summer’s contract renewal with Lyon should keep them at bay until at least next summer.

3. Thomas Toure (Girondins de Bordeaux)

Signed by Bordeaux from AS Cannes back in 2010, polyvalent attacker Thomas Toure is currently making a name for himself at Nouveau Stade Bordeaux.

Born in France to an Ivorian father and a Spanish mother, the 21-year-old looks to have pledged his future to the Ivory Coast after accepting a senior call-up for their second Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifier against Sierra Leone in September.

Toure is fast, dribbles well and links up nicely with others in Willy Sagnol’s attack. Les Girondins’ No. 13 is a strong finisher, possesses good technical skills and displays good awareness. He is a perfect fit for counter-attacking sides, while playing out wide allows him to maximise his searing pace and impressive dribbling ability.

Real Madrid have already been linked with Toure and the France under-18 international could be one of the star names exported from Ligue 1 next summer.

4. Morgan Sanson (Montpellier HSC)

Currently working his way back to action after a ruptured knee ligament, Ligue 1 will not get its first glimpse of Montpellier’s Morgan Sanson this season for at least another few weeks. Although a blow for the player when it happened back in April, the 21 year old’s injury was a blessing in disguise for la Paillade as it enabled them to keep him past this summer with a number of rivals in le Championnat already keen on him.

Sanson arrived from Le Mans in 2013 and has since made himself the key man for Rolland Courbis’ men. Primarily a deep-lying central midfielder, the France under-21 international’s great strength is his versatility. Sanson is comfortable playing further forward, or even out wide, but he excels in more defensive roles. Dribbling, tackling and crossing, this player has it all and at 21, he is also extremely mature.

5. Michy Batshuayi (Olympique de Marseille)

After two defeats without even scoring a goal to open their new Ligue 1 campaign, Olympique de Marseille turned on the style to thrash ESTAC Troyes 6-0 on Michel’s debut as manager.

Key to that scintillating display for OM was Michy Batshuayi. The Belgium international, of DR Congo roots, scored twice and helped to create another to get his and his team’s season up and running. Batshuayi has all the qualities necessary to become a world-class striker.

Primarily right-footed, the 21-year-old can use either foot to finish with unerring accuracy from both short and long range. Fast, strong and technically gifted, he is also equally capable of running at defences with the ball and holding it up. Batshuayi is a little selfish on occasions and could work on his aerial ability, but neither will hold him back from realising his full potential. If he continues to find the back of the net as regularly as he did in the second half of last season, he will lead next summer’s Ligue 1 departures.

6. Corentin Tolisso (Olympique Lyonnais)

One of the unsung heroes of Lyon’s title challenge to ultimate winners PSG last season was les Gones’ Corentin Tolisso. An under-21 France international, he is primarily a central midfielder, but is extremely versatile and has played in either full-back position in the past. Tolisso is excellent defensively, passes well and couples with OL captain Maxime Gonalons excellently for Hubert Fournier’s side.

The 21-year-old is tall, fast and strong, but technically impressive and reads the game well. His ability to keep possession is another big strength and he will get the chance to experience the Champions League this season after being one of Ligue 1’s standout performers last campaign. Tolisso will attract plenty of interest from foreign clubs and if he can replicate last term’s displays, a Euro 2016 place is not impossible.

7. Doria (Olympique de Marseille)

Back in September 2014, Marseille completed the signing of Matheus Doria Macedo from Botafogo just as the transfer window was closing. Almost exactly 12 months later, the Brazil international is still yet to make his competitive debut for OM.

So, why is a player who has not made a single appearance for Marseille on this list? Had it not been for les Phoceens’ former manager Marcelo Bielsa, Doria may well already be an established member of the Marseille starting XI and a firm fan favourite.

However, Bielsa’s constant war with OM president Vincent Labrune saw the 20-year-old central defender suffer as el Loco refused to utilise a player who was bought without his approval.

Doria is highly rated in Brazil and Marseille supporters are hoping to finally get a glimpse of the South American in the club’s colours under new manager Michel. In another 12 months’ time, he could be regarded as one of Ligue 1’s brightest young gems.