In this article, we take a look at the ten most valuable U19 players in Ligue 1 McDonald’s.
The top tier of French football has long been a breeding ground for young, talented players. With its emphasis on technical skill and flair, the league has produced numerous world-class stars over the years.
From Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga to Aurélien Tchouaméni—the list goes on. In recent times, the trend of nurturing young talent has continued, with several under-19 players emerging as potential superstars.
Note: In line with the figures from Transfermarkt.co.uk, we use the Euro (€) as the currency, and transfers that took place till September 2024 have been fact-checked with other sources.
#10 Matias Fernandez-Pardo | Age: 19 | LOSC Lille
Market Value: €10 million
Matias Fernandez-Pardo, once of the Lille academy, returned to the French club last summer following his €10m move from Belgian side Gent. Primarily an attacking midfielder, the 19-year-old’s flair and technical ability set him apart.
Known for his vision and passing range, Fernandez-Pardo excels at threading incisive through balls and delivering accurate crosses into the box. His ability to pick out key passes to unlock defences and create scoring opportunities for his teammates is another facet that makes him stand out.
A versatile player who can operate on either wing or as a centre-forward, Fernandez-Pardo also possesses an industrious defensive work rate and tactical awareness. He diligently tracks back to help his team regain possession and contributes to the overall shape of the team.
However, Fernandez-Pardo’s physicality and aerial ability could be enhanced, as he is often overpowered by stronger opponents. With further development, he could become a key player for his club and potentially a regular fixture in the Belgium national team.
#9 Valentín Carboni | Age: 19 | Olympique de Marseille
Market Value: €12 million
Valentín Carboni, a promising young talent born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a versatile player who can operate as an attacking midfielder or a right-winger. An Inter Milan player currently on loan at Marseille, Carboni showcased his potential last season on loan at Monza in the Serie A.
Carboni possesses excellent technical skills, including precise passing, dribbling, and ball control. One of his strengths is his ability to adapt to different positions. He can seamlessly transition from midfield to defence, demonstrating versatility and tactical intelligence. His defensive awareness and tackling skills are also commendable for a player of his age.
Despite his young age, Carboni exudes maturity on the field. He is calm under pressure and makes intelligent decisions. His work rate and determination are evident in every game, as he constantly strives to improve and contribute to his team’s success.
Unfortunately, an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier this year means the Carboni will have to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
#8 Nathan Zézé | Age: 19 | FC Nantes
Market Value: €12 million
Nathan Zézé is a promising young defender currently plying his trade for Nantes. Having been making waves in Ligue 1 with his impressive performances, the 19-year-old is a towering figure at 6’3” and a formidable presence in the heart of the Nantes defence.
Zézé’s height and strength allow him to win crucial headers in both defensive and attacking situations. He is also adept at reading the game, anticipating danger, and making timely interceptions. His composure on the ball is another impressive aspect of his game, as he is comfortable in possession and can initiate attacks from the back.
However, Zézé can sometimes be a bit rash with his challenges, leading to unnecessary fouls. His passing accuracy, particularly long-range distribution, also leaves a fair bit to be desired.
Overall, Zézé is a talented young defender with immense potential. With continued development, he could establish himself as one of the top defenders in Ligue 1 and potentially attract interest from bigger clubs in the future.
#7 Christian Mawissa | Age: 19 | AS Monaco
Market Value: €12 million
This promising young centre-back has already made a significant impact in Ligue 1 thanks to his performances with Toulouse last season, which resulted in Les Monégasques signing him for €16 million.
A versatile defender who can play as a centre-back, right-back, or left-back, Mawissa’s strengths lie in his technical ability, physical attributes, and tactical awareness. He is comfortable on the ball and possesses good passing range, which allows him to initiate attacks from deep positions. His ball-carrying ability is particularly impressive and enables him to progress the ball up the field and bypass the opposition press.
Physically, Mawissa is strong and athletic, which allows him to win aerial duels and compete with physical forwards with relative ease. His speed and agility are also commendable, enabling him to recover defensively and cover ground quickly.
Tactically, Mawissa is intelligent and reads the game well. He is proactive in anticipating danger and making interceptions, as evident from his disciplined defensive positioning.
#6 Gabriel Moscardo | Age: 19 | Stade de Reims
Market Value: €12 million
Gabriel Moscardo made waves with Corinthians last season, which resulted in Paris Saint-Germain securing his services for €20 million last January.
Currently on loan at Reims, Moscardo is an exceptional reader of the game. The Brazilian midfielder anticipates opposition moves effectively, intercepts passes, and breaks up play with well-timed tackles. His defensive awareness and positional sense are exceptional for a player his age, allowing him to shield his defence and disrupt the opposition’s attacking rhythm.
A capable ball-playing midfielder, the 19-year-old possesses good passing accuracy and vision, enabling him to distribute the ball effectively from deep positions. His ability to progress play with his range of passing and dribbling skills adds an extra dimension to his game.
While Moscardo is still young, he has already shown great potential to become a top-class defensive midfielder. His physical attributes, technical skills, and tactical awareness make him a valuable asset.
#5 George Ilenikhena | Age: 18 | AS Monaco
Market Value: €15 million
George Ilenikhena is a Nigerian centre-forward currently playing for Monaco.
Ilenikhena’s impressive physique and height allow him to hold up play effectively and win aerial duels. He is also agile enough to create space for himself and his teammates, while also being capable of lethal shots with both feet.
While his physical attributes are evident, Ilenikhena also displays a good level of technical ability. He is comfortable dribbling at pace and can make intelligent runs off the ball. His passing accuracy is decent, and he shows a willingness to link up with his teammates to build attacking moves.
However, Ilenikhena’s decision-making in the final third can sometimes be erratic, and he needs to work on his finishing to become a veritable prolific goalscorer. His defensive work rate also needs improvement, as he is often caught out of position.
Despite these areas for improvement, Ilenikhena’s potential is undeniable. With proper coaching and development, he could become a top-class striker.
#4 Guillaume Restes | Age: 19 | Toulouse FC
Market Value: €18 million
A promising goalkeeper, Guillaume Restes has been making waves in Ligue 1 with his impressive performances for Toulouse. At just 19 years old, he has already established himself as one of the most exciting goalkeeping talents in France.
Restes is tall and commanding—a strong presence in goal. His reflexes are excellent, allowing him to make crucial saves in tight situations. Additionally, he is a confident shot-stopper, able to deal with both close- and long-range efforts. One of his most impressive qualities is his ability to distribute the ball accurately. He is comfortable with his feet and can play both short and long passes to start attacks from the back.
Restes has shown maturity beyond his years. He is calm and composed under pressure and not afraid to take risks when necessary. His leadership skills are also evident, as he often organises his defence and communicates effectively with his teammates.
With continued development and experience, Restes could become one of the top goalkeepers in Europe. His performances for Toulouse have already attracted interest from several major clubs, and it is only a matter of time before he makes a big move.
#3 Malick Fofana | Age: 19 | Olympique Lyonnais
Market Value: €25 million
This young Belgian winger from Lyon possesses a unique blend of technical ability, pace, and attacking flair that has already caught the eye of many scouts and fans.
An exceptional dribbler, Fofana is capable of weaving past defenders with ease with his quick feet and agility. His close control and ability to change direction quickly make him a nightmare for opposing fullbacks. He also possesses a keen eye for goal and is capable of scoring from both inside and outside the box. His powerful shots and accurate crossing ability make him a constant threat.
Defensively, Fofana still has room for improvement. While he is willing to track back and put in the effort, his positioning and decision-making can sometimes be questionable.
Overall, Malick Fofana is a promising young talent. With the right guidance, he has the potential to become one of the best wingers in Europe.
#2 Ayyoub Bouaddi | Age: 17 | LOSC Lille
Market Value: €25 million
Ayyoub Bouaddi, a 17-year-old midfielder currently playing for Lille, has been stirring excitement in the footballing world with his exceptional talent, earning comparisons to some of the game’s greats.
Despite his tender age, Bouaddi has a calm and collected demeanour, often dictating the tempo of the game. His ability to receive the ball under pressure and execute precise passes is a testament to his technical proficiency. Additionally, his vision and creativity allow him to unlock defences with well-timed through balls and incisive passes.
Bouaddi’s physical attributes also make him a formidable presence in midfield. His long legs and strong frame enable him to win aerial duels and dominate in physical confrontations, while his tireless work rate and stamina allow him to cover vast areas of the pitch and contribute both at the back and up front.
While Bouaddi’s talent is undeniable, it’s important to remember that he is still developing as a player. With proper guidance and experience, he can refine his skills and reach even greater heights.
#1 Eliesse Ben Seghir | Age: 19 | AS Monaco
Market Value: €30 million
Eliesse Ben Seghir, already a Morocco international, has captured the attention of many with his impressive performances for club and country.
Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, which allow him to effortlessly glide past defenders, the 19-year-old possesses a remarkable ability to change direction quickly, leaving opponents in his wake. His vision and creativity are equally impressive, as he consistently finds clever passes to unlock defences.
One of Ben Seghir’s greatest strengths lies in his versatility. He can operate effectively in various attacking positions—be it as a winger, an attacking midfielder, or even a striker. With a keen eye for goal, he is a threat in the attacking third, capable of scoring from both inside and outside the box.
While Ben Seghir’s technical skills are undoubtedly impressive, developing his physicality and strength will be crucial as he progresses to the game’s higher levels. Refining his decision-making in the final third will further enhance his goalscoring and assist-making abilities.
Despite his young age, Ben Seghir has the potential to become a world-class player and a key figure for both club and country.
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