The JF60 is our annual special feature on Just Football scouting the best young talents in Europe in six major leagues. Before we release our Class of 2016 – top 10 Ligue 1 best young players to watch in 2015/16, how did our Class of 2014/15 fare? Let’s review our 10…
Florian Thauvin
How’s he done since?
2014/15 was a tough season for Florian Thauvin. It was always going to be sink or swim for the talented, if slightly flawed, winger under the iron fist of Marcelo Bielsa. Initially things started well for Thauvin as he was Bielsa’ automatic selection for the right wing role in an entertaining, free-flowing Marseille team that went into the mid-season break as autumn champions.
The team’s results however masked Thauvin’s own performances. Goals and assists proved a struggle and he was regularly substituted as his impact in games waned. Once Marseille’s form dropped in the second half of the season, Thauvin’s poor form became more obvious. The crowd began turning on the youngster and eventually forced Bielsa into dropping him.
Five goals and three assists were a meagre return in a team that finished as second highest goalscorers in Ligue 1. Marseille were therefore never going to turn down a €17 million plus Remy Cabella on loan deal from Newcastle United.
It's time for me to start a new adventure with @NUFC.I can't wait to discover the amazing atmosphere of ST James Park pic.twitter.com/5jyBkzb51h
— Florian Thauvin (@FlorianThauvin) August 19, 2015
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Despite enduring a poor season, there were glimpses of the enormous talent Thauvin can become. That’s the most frustrating aspect of Thauvin’s game. If his mind can get in the right place, the talent is there.
Sadly it didn’t emerge anywhere near on a consistent basis last season, so the campaign can only be seen as a failure for Thauvin. Maybe the move to Newcastle will change all that. Time will tell.
10 Series Rating
4/10
Paul-Georges Ntep
How’s he done since?
Lightning quick, full of tricks, enormous confidence and a cheeky grin to boot: 2014/15 was the year that saw Paul-Georges Ntep take his game to the next level.
At the start of the campaign his temperament and attitude were questioned. Would he allow his ego to get the better of him? Could he blossom as a team player? Could he really push on in a Rennes team that had nervously been looking over their shoulder the season before?
Come the end of the season he had blown away those doubts, despite missing parts of the campaign due to injury. A menace in almost every game he played, Ntep’s pace down the left wing caused many a Ligue 1 right back nightmares.
Nine goals and six assists easily made him the the Breton side’s best player. He forged an impressive partnership with Abdoulaye Doucoure as they became a duo to fear.
Ntep’s season ended with joy as he earned himself a call up to the French national side. His second half cameo in the defeat to Belgium resulted in an assist as he demonstrated his potential on the international stage.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Success. Goals, assists and a huge step forward as regards his attitude. It’s a wonder no serious, significant bids were made for the winger in the summer. With an appearance for les Bleus under his belt, Ntep will look to continue his progression with the reward of Euro 2016 and a potential move to one of Europe’s elite on the horizon.
10 Series Rating
8/10
SEE ALSO: Good Player Guide #28 – Paul Georges Ntep: The little d***head with the big future
Adrien Rabiot
How’s he done since?
Adrien Rabiot is one of those youngsters who seems to have been around for years now. It’s easy to forget he’s still only 20 years old.
2014/15 was a season of missed opportunities for Rabiot. In a talented but keenly contested midfield, Rabiot was rewarded with 10 league appearences as a starter for PSG but at times struggled to impose himself on games. He was a regular starter in PSG’s run to double domestic cup glory but again found himself drifting in and out of games.
Rumours of contract disputes, the interference of his mother (who is also his agent) and a lack of focus at times saw the PSG crowd grow restless with Rabiot. There was certainly the feeling he could offer much more to the team if he put his mind to it.
Rabiot did show some glimpses of his true class: the win over Toulouse, for example, where he secured a great double and proved how dangerous he can be as a box-to-box midfielder. These stand-out moments were few and far between, however.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
A player who has stalled somewhat. Rabiot had a hugely successful season on loan at Toulouse in 2013 and was expected to come back into the PSG team and shine when given opportunities.
He has failed to accomplish that, though, and so should really start to consider if PSG is the right place for him to fully develop.
10 Series Rating
5/10
SEE ALSO: Generation Next – Adrien Rabiot: meet the homegrown gem among PSG millionaires
Layvin Kurzawa
How’s he done since?
In the battle of the young left backs, Layvin Kurzawa has left his rival and fellow 10 Series alumni Lucas Digne trailing far behind. If 2013/14 was Kurzawa’s breakout season, 2014/15 was the year the now 23-year-old proved he was the real deal.
Whilst arguably not quite at his 2013/14 attacking peak, in 14/15 Kurzawa demonstrated he is able to mix it with the best through defensively, too.
The youngster has always been and will always be a more attack-minded left back, but in a Monaco team which proved to be comfortably the best defensive unit in the league, he thrived. Injuries took a toll at times, but when fit there were few better in the league.
Kurzawa also let the rest of Europe know just how good he was via Monaco’s surprising run to the Champions League quarter finals.
.@layvinkurzawa portera le numéro 20 sous les couleurs du @PSG_inside ! #BienvenueKurzawa pic.twitter.com/5186Kd82ui
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) August 27, 2015
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
An undoubted success. Kurzawa entered the thinking around national team places and was rewarded with a £16 million move to PSG, who in turn offloaded Digne to AS Roma. Kurzawa is seemingly the complete package as far as left backs go.
The only slight concern was his ill-advised, arrogant “salute” in the European Under-21 qualifier against Sweden – a move he would certainly live to regret.
10 Series Rating
9/10
Morgan Sanson
How’s he done since?
You have to wonder how Montpellier would have fared if it wasn’t for the the likes of Morgan Sanson. At only 20 (last season) he was one of the cornerstones of the team. Seen as a natural replacement for Remy Cabella, Sanson thrived in a team where attacking football was never going to come freely.
Six goals represented a good return for Sanson, who saw his season unfortunately cut short in April with a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out of action until November. Excellent on the ball, a great distributor as well as an eye for goal, Sanson was undoubtedly one of the bright spots for Montpellier last season.
The injury may, as unfortunate as it sounds, have been a blessing in disguise for Montpellier as it meant they were able to hold onto their young star for another season – as long as he returns to his full level, of course.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Certainly a success. Sanson and Montpellier will be hoping he can rediscover his form of last season when he recovers from injury. His partnership with Anthony Mounier in midfield was one of the more enjoyable sights at les Paillade.
10 Series Rating
7/10
Alphonse Areola
How’s he done since?
An excellent 2014/15 campaign for Alphonse Areola in which he played every minute of every league game, bar 3 matches.
The young goalkeeper faced a daunting prospect on two fronts; he was replacing Ligue 1 record appearance holder Mickael Landreau between the sticks and was going to be tested on a regular basis in a team who were always going to be in a battle to avoid relegation.
Ultimately Areola had nothing to worry about. Bastia struggled until the turn of the year but a strong finish ensured they finished comfortably in mid-table. In no small part this was due to Areola.
Time and time again Areola proved to be a superb barrier. It was also his heroics in the penalty shoot-out victory over Monaco that saw the Corsicans make it to the Coupe de la Ligue final.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Whilst his season was certainly a success, Areola will be frustrated to be loaned out yet again this season, to Villarreal, and not trusted with a chance to stake a claim at parent club PSG. A great shot stopper, good in the air and a strong sense of positioning, it’s surely only a matter of time before he earns himself an international call up.
10 Series Rating
8/10
Heureux de vous annoncer officiellement que cette saison je porterai les couleurs du @VillarrealCF #Endavant pic.twitter.com/n2buBhk7jI
— Alphonse Areola (@AreolaOfficiel) June 18, 2015
Gianelli Imbula
How’s he done since?
One of the stand out players in Bielsa’s Marseille. Gianelli Imbula was always known for his defensive duties, but under Bielsa he was allowed to become a more box-to-box player, showing off rarely seen attacking prowess. Two goals and two assists for a player predominantly playing in front of the defence is evidence of this.
Strong, athletic, graceful on the ball and energy in buckets, Imbula really pushed on from what was a tough first season with Marseille. Whilst others around him wilted as the season progressed, Imbula kept on working and at times it felt like he was one of only a few who kept Marseille in the hunt for Europe.
Unfortunately for Marseille Imbula was one of the players sacrificed to achieve financial balance. The 22-year-old was snapped up by Porto at the end of the campaign.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Imbula really progressed well in 2014/15 in a successful campaign for him personally. His efforts were the distinct opposite of his teammate Thauvin: Whilst Thauvin stalled, Imbula developed his game further, adding more of an attacking intent. Marseille’s loss will undoubtedly be Porto’s gain.
10 Series Rating
7/10
Anthony Martial
How’s he done since?
As of only very recently, not too many will have heard the name of Anthony Martial – Wayne Rooney included. Thanks to a huge money move to Manchester United, he is now the man of the moment. 2014/15 was a season of big progression for the 19-year-old.
Brought into the Monaco team gradually with Leonardo Jardim preferring Dimitar Berbatov initially, Martial was restricted to substitute appearances in the main but bode his time and took his chances when he finally got a run in the side after the winter break. Nine goals, eight of which came in eight games, showed how dangerous in front of goal he can be.
Used at times in a wide left wing position, Martial also blossomed in Monaco’s Champions League run, with performances which really brought him to the attention of Europe’s big clubs.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
His club’s top scorer, a success in the league and Europe, an eventual monster move to the Premiership and now an international call up. The last 12 months have been a massive success for Martial. There is still room for improvement but he his heading in the right direction at lightning speed.
10 Series Rating
9/10
SEE ALSO: Why Manchester United could have one of the world’s future best strikers in Anthony Martial
Geoffrey Kondogbia
How’s he done since?
Yet another excellent performer for Monaco last season, Geoffrey Kondogbia was one of the league’s best players even though he missed over 10 weeks of football due to injury.
A classic box-to-box midfielder, Kondogbia is immensely powerful, strong in the tackle and good on the ball. It’s no wonder that come the end of the season, many European powerhouses made bids for him – Inter Milan the eventual winners of that battle.
Kondogbia formed an excellent partnership with Jeremy Toulalon at Monaco and it was clear he learned a lot from the veteran midfielder. Kondogbia developed a responsible, calm and measured side to his game to complement his strong, energetic side. Goals and assists are not part of his game but that certainly didn’t stop him from producing a brilliant long range finish against Arsenal in the Champions League.
That run in the competition did so much for a large number of Monaco’ players and Kondogbia was one of those who benefited most. Once the big money offers started coming in Monaco weren’t in a position to refuse.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
Instrumental for Monaco, a regular in the national side and now looking to further his success in Serie A; it all adds up to a very successful season. Kondogbia can still continue to improve, he is only 22 after all. If he does then the sky is the limit.
10 Series Rating
8/10
Diego Rolan
How’s he done since?
Although part of our #JF60 Class of 2014/15, not many will have expected Diego Rolan to finish the season with 15 goals to his name (we’re experts, see – Ed). The Uruguayan was one of the surprises of the season and a key reason Bordeaux finished in the European places.
With his quick turn of pace, heading ability, cool finishing and, most impressive of all, his knack for finding space in the penalty area, Rolan proved a handful to many Ligue 1 defences last season. Rolan’s weakness was simply consistency. Despite scoring 15 goals, eight of those goals were scored in four games.
In becoming a classic number nine, a real goal poacher, he attracted the interest of a host of other clubs with Newcastle the team he was linked with most. Bordeaux will be delighted to have kept onto him.
Success, Failure or Standing Still?
You can’t score 15 goals and not be deemed a success. Now Bordeaux have managed to keep hold of him, they will want to see his goals being scored on a more consistent basis. If he can then you can expect those bigger clubs to come calling again in January.
10 Series Rating
7/10
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