4 Exciting attacking French players to look out for!
I spent 10
days of my summer in 2015 watching the Toulon tournament. The tournament is an
under 20 international tournament that’s been on the go for over 40 years. 10
invited teams participate in the tournament which is not organised or overseen
by UEFA or any individual football association. Over the years young players
such as Rui Costa, Thierry Henry, David Ginola, Riquelme and Alan Shearer have
participated in the tournament, before going on to have outstanding careers.
An impressive
French side ran out eventual winners beating a good Morocco team 3-1 in the
final. Although Euro 2016 will take place in France this summer, the tournament
will come too early for almost the entire Toulon tournament winning squad but I
thought I’d take a look at the up and coming young French stars. Some are
surely destined to follow in the footsteps of the like of Anelka and Henry, perhaps
even become European and World Cup winners one day.
Thomas Lemar
Lemar was one
of the outstanding players of the Tournament in the summer at just 19 years
old. Lemar is only 5ft 7 but is quick, mobile and technically gifted. Like all
players of his age sometimes his final ball and decision making is inconsistent
but he without doubt has the raw talent to be successful. He has a great left
foot and is especially good from dead ball situations, free kick and corner he
can provide quality deliveries. Lemar is currently contracted to Monaco after
moving from Ligue 1 side Caen in 2013, where he only made his debut in August
2013. Lemar has played for the French national teams at every level from U17 to
U21. His next task is to hold down a regular spot in the AS Monaco first team
by putting in consistent performances and from then on who knows, I have
feeling is we will be seeing much more of him in years to come.
Jean-Luc Mamadou
Diarra Dompe
Diarra Dompe
spent his youth career at Valenciiennes, unlike Lamar he’s not played through
all the levels with France and his appearance at the Toulon tournament was the
first time he’s played for the national team. Again at 20, his talent his still
very raw, but has blistering pace, very skilful and is always looking to take
on his man. Diarra Dompe is currently
contracted to Standard League until 2019 and has a good platform in the Belgian
pro league to develop. Diarra is in no way a dead cert for a great football
career but I personally feel he has the talent to at least put him in with a
chance if he works hard and develops the potential he has.
Enzo Crivelli
Born in Rouen
France, Crivelli is a 6ft plus centre forward, a physical presence with a
poacher’s instinct and a is a quick thinker. Crivelli claimed 2 out of the 3
individual awards at the Toulon tournament scoring 4 goals (Golden Boot) and
winning player of the tournament. He’s played at Under 20 and Under 21 level
for France and is a very vocal player, a leader on the pitch. At just 21
Crivelli is playing regularly in ligue 1 with Boudreaux, having spent much of
his youth career at AS Cannes. With an eye for goals and physical power he
would be tailor made to play in the German, Italian or English leagues if he
does decide to further his career elsewhere. Out of my 4 players I would argue
he is the most developed as a player at his young age, and although not the
most technically gifted he seems to have a maturity when it comes to decision
making on the pitch.
Anthony Martial
Anthony
Martial is a young talent that has been on the radar of Europe’s elite since he
was a very young teenager. Blistering pace and fantastic feet along with a cool
head in front of goal and in high pressure situation has made him the most
expensive teenager in European football history, when he moved from As Monaco
the Manchester United in 2015 at just 19 years old. Martial moved to Monaco
from Lyon in 2013 and played 49 games for the French side, many of which were
from the bench. Martial can play as a number 9 but seems to feel far more at
home in a wide position taking on the full back and cutting inside to create
shooting opportunities. Unlike the others Martial didn’t take part in the Toulon
tournament and has been capped 6 times for the French senior team. He looks to be a dead cert for a place in
Didier Deschamps squad for the Euros in the summer. Manchester United manager
Louise Van Gaal said he was the best player of his age in Europe when he joined
them in 2015 and has not failed to deliver in the short time he’s been at Old
Trafford, scoring 10 goals and terrifying opposition’s defenses.
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