Football: the eleven of the revelations of the 2020-2021 Ligue 1 season

Neymar, Mbappe, Ben Yedder, Depay, Yilmaz… These stars of our French league are not the only players to have shone this season. Indeed, young nuggets have been revealed. Just Focus offers you the eleven of the revelations of Ligue 1 of the 2020-2021 edition. This team will be formed from a 4-4-2. A tactical scheme used by one of the best teams of this season, namely Christophe Galtier's LOSC. 

The goalkeeper: Racioppi

The Swiss is the revelation in the position of goalkeeper this season in Ligue 1. He is one of the only goalkeepers in this 2020-2021 campaign to have had his first season as a starter (21 games). And despite a very complicated season on the side of the Dijon club, the goalkeeper trained at OL has been able to do well by making some very good performances. He still had the difficult task of compensating for the departure of Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, who left for Arsenal. Next season, the 22-year-old Swiss will have to confirm and assert himself as an indisputable starter.

The full-backs: Perraud / Truffert

Romain Perraud had a very big full season at Stade Brestois. His second season in Ligue 1 is the one that allows him to become an indisputable starter and a manager of the team. He has emerged this season as one of Europe's most prolific defenders. 3 goals and 6 assists. This small size of 1.73 m with a devastating left foot, whose tonic profile sometimes recalls that of Bixente Lizarazu, displays great versatility in his lane, since he was formed as an eccentric midfielder, before gradually sliding backwards. In January, the 23-year-old extended his contract by two years. It is linked to Brest until 2025. Even if according to several media, his performances arouse the interest of Lyon, Marseille or Sampdoria in Italy. Adrien Truffert is surely one of the biggest revelations of this season in Ligue 1. First of all, he is the youngest of this eleven. Not even 20 years ! For his first season with the professional group, the Stade Rennais player managed to impose himself by becoming in a very short time an important starter. Small size, ability to project forward, Truffert is a full-back of the same register as Romain Perraud. It should be noted that the 19-year-old has been in competition with Dalbert on loan from Inter (11 matches in L1) and Faitout Maouassa (20 matches in L1). Two competitors with whom he was able to win this position of left back. 32 revivals for 24 starts. Only 3 games where he did not play.

The central offices: Botman / Kouyaté

Sven Botman is this season one of the best central defenders in Ligue 1. Recruited in the summer transfer window last from the Netherlands, he revealed himself in this LOSC team. Lined up with his Portuguese colleague Fonte in defence, the Dutch player has become a more than indisputable starter. It is surely partly thanks to him that Lille is achieving this incredible season. And if Galtier's men are the best defense in the championship with only 22 goals conceded. At only 21 years old, he is one of the Ligue 1 players who has played the most minutes this season. In 35 rounds, he has been lined up 34 times for as many starts. At 1m93, this very solid defender, very good in the air and on the restart, is a hope on a European scale. He will most likely be very courted, from this summer, during the transfer window. Boubacar Kouyaté will accompany Botman in central defence. The 24-year-old Malian has completely revealed himself at FC Metz this season. He is one of the bosses of the 3-man defense of the garnets. Frédéric Antonetti's men had a very good season. They are one of the surprise teams in this championship. FC Metz is currently the sixth defense in the league, and Kouyaté is not for nothing. Arrived last summer for 3.5 million in favor of Estac Troyes, he directly asserted himself for his first season in Ligue 1 with the Garnets. Just like Botman, "Kiki" as he is nicknamed is very tall (1m93). This very rough defender is impressive in aerial duels. FC Metz made a very good pick by recruiting him.

Midfielders: Neyou / Gueye / Diop / Faivre

Neyou is one of the revelations in Ligue 1 at midfield.The 24-year-old Cameroonian, 1 goal and 2 assists in 28 league matches this season, has completely imposed himself in the Saint-Etienne midfield. Despite a complicated season for Puel's men, Neyou is one of the satisfactions on the green side. ASSE is a team in full reconstruction, which relies on young people and the Cameroonian will be one of the executives of this team in the future. The player of the 1997 generation, impressed with his technique. He has a propensity to eliminate his opponents by passing or dribbling (86.8% of successful passes this season). Last November, the call option was exercised following its good performance. And Yvan Neyou signs a three-year contract with the Greens. He was on loan from SC Braga. Pape Gueye is one of the best Phocaeans this season. At 22 years old, after a very complete season, the Frenchman has his place in this eleven. Arrived on the Canebière after having made his ranges in Ligue 2 with Le Havre, Pape Gueye arrived surrounded by a flattering reputation of great hope of French football. And after timed appearances in the first half of the season, the native of Montreuil is now one of the indisputable holders of OM. He played 30 games for 20 starts. This season, he has brought a large volume of play in the Marseille midfield. At 1m89, Gueye has many qualities such as technical quality, aerial play and striking power. He is also praised for his great tactical intelligence and vision of the game. With a more attacking register, Monaco midfielder Sofiane Diop has impressed everyone this season. Aged 20, he is one of Niko Kovac's favourite players. 32 matches including 7 goals for the player trained at Stade Rennais. Very prolific season! He also stands out for his high-flying performances against the big guys in this championship. Diop exudes a lot of elegance in his playing. A technical finesse that gives dizziness to opposing defenses. The player of Senegalese origin also has a very good strike and a very interesting fighting spirit. It is a crack on which the club of the Rock will have to count in the coming years. To complete this midfield, who else but Romain Faivre! The Brest is having a very big season. A year ago, almost no one had heard of Romain Faivre (22 years old). But for his first season in Ligue 1, the Brest attacking midfielder was quick to seduce his world. And not just Olivier Dall'Oglio or SB29 fans.Fast, skilful with the ball and creator, the former Monegasque is a player who dares and who is full of confidence this season. 6 goals and 4 assists in 33 games. One of the real hubs on the Brest side. Just like Sofiane Diop, he has this ability to be able to evolve in the midfield and on the wings.

Attackers: Gouiri / Kalimuendo

Amine Gouiri is arguably OGC Nice's best player this season. He is also one of the most prominent strikers. In his first real season, Gouiri has scored 12 goals and distilled 6 assists with Le Gym, in Ligue 1, since the start of this 2020-21 campaign. Author of a remarkable season with OGC Nice, Amine Gouri is the great satisfaction of the Aiglons. The current level of play of the striker trained at Olympique Lyonnais does not leave some teams insensitive. AS Roma would like to recruit him in the next transfer window. Amine is a ball player like a certain Karim Benzema. He likes to play, combine, he understands the game, he always seeks to stand out and play with others.

A 100% Parisian product, Kalimuendo has been on loan to RC Lens since the beginning of the season. Great hope of French football, the Parisian titi has a very good season in Lens. With 25 games to his name including 7 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1, he lives a magnificent first season in the professional world under the colors of RC Lens. He shines with the Sangs et Or and quickly made a place for himself in the Lense group. Fast, powerful and lively, the young player has all the qualities required to become a great striker. Around Kakuta, Ganago or other pillars of the team like Fofana, he gains experience. He necessarily gains in maturity and intelligence of play. It is certain that the people of Lense would like to see him sign permanently at the club this summer.