Despite losing one of football’s biggest stars in Kylian Mbappe to the Spanish La Liga this summer, the French Ligue 1 still boasts an array of top quality players who currently ply their trades in the division.
The likes of Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Mason Greenwood can certainly provide Ligue 1 fans with plenty of nerve-wracking excitement and the potential acquisition of Napoli’s want-away striker Victor Osimhen by PSG could further add some spice to the mix.
Soccernet.football takes a look at the ten most valuable players in the French top flight.
10. Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain) – €50m
Barcola rose through the ranks at Lyon before making the switch to Paris Saint-Germain last summer. The young winger’s electric pace and keen eye for goal make him a potent threat to opposing defenses. With the departure of Mbappe, we expect to see a lot more of the Frenchman down that left flank in the coming season.
9. Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain) – €50m
The Portuguese striker commanded a huge fee when PSG decided to make his loan move from Benfica a permanent deal. However, Ramos has yet to provide the French champions with value for their significant investment. His clinical finishing, aerial prowess and well-rounded attacking abilities make him a valuable asset in PSG’s ranks.
8. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) – €50m
Marquinhos’ consistent excellence at the heart of Paris Saint-Germain’s defense has been a joy to watch over the years. The Brazilian center-back’s reading of the game, defensive positioning and leadership qualities make him a crucial figure for the reigning champions. Marquinhos’ reliability and experience mean he’ll be pivotal to PSG’s continued success in the coming season.
7. Jonathan David (Lille) – €50m
The Canadian striker has been one of the most reliable goal scorers in Ligue 1 over the last couple of years. His clinical finishing, intelligent movement and ability to link up with his teammates make him a huge threat behind enemy lines. With Mbappe out of the picture, the Lille forward perhaps finally has a chance to win the Ligue 1 top-scorer award.
6. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) – €55m
Mendes’ exceptional performances at left-back have earned him a place among the most valuable players in Ligue 1. The Portuguese defender boasts incredible pace and defensive solidity. His contributions in the final third make him such an important part of Paris Saint-Germain’s successes. After a decent outing at the Euros with Portugal, we’re backing Mendes to have a great season.
5. Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain) – €55m
PSG’s latest summer acquisition came into the limelight at Benfica where he showed incredible potential. Neves’ exceptional passing range, vision and ability to control the tempo of the game make him a crucial asset for any club. The young Portuguese midfielder has been tipped by many to reach the very top of the game. It will be interesting to watch how he develops at the Parcs des Princes.
4. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) – €55m
Vitinha’s seamless integration into Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield has cemented his place in Luis Enrique’s midfield last season. The Portuguese playmaker took on the role of creator in chief and dictated the flow of games as Les Parisiens dominated the league. Vitinha has established himself as an indispensable member of Enrique’s squad and we expect him to shine for the champions in the coming season.
3. Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) – €60m
The 18-year-old Frenchman possesses exceptional tactical awareness and is capable of carrying out multiple roles in the middle of the park. His level of composure and assuredness on the ball at such a young age make him a highly sought-after talent. Zaire-Emery has the potential for further development and his importance for the French champions will only increase in the years to come.
2. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) – €60m
Hakimi’s addition to the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain has yielded the expected results. The Morocco international has established himself as one of the best players in his position in recent years and his performances for the French champions have been a testament to the fact. Going into the new season, we’re backing the 25-year-old to continue to flourish at the Parcs des Princes.
1. Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain) – €60m
The one time Borussia Dortmund prodigy cum Barcelona flop is now the most valuable player in Ligue 1. Dembele signed for PSG last summer but form and injury concerns have continued to plague his time at the Parcs des Princes. On his day, the Frenchman can single handedly change the course of a game. PSG fans will be hoping he can step up and become their main main in the absence of Mbappe.