Goal.com Special: Ligue 1 Team Of The Season
With the league calendar in France approaching the final straight, Robin Bairner offers his team of the season...
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais) – Signed from Nice last summer, Lloris was considered something of a gamble because few goalkeepers are mature enough at the age of 21 (now 22) to protect the net of such an illustrious club. While other areas of les Gones’ side have failed, the young net-minder has excelled, making a number of fine blocks but, most importantly, providing consistency unrivalled in Ligue 1. Lloris is a large part of the reason why Lyon still boast the strongest defence in France.
Defence
Mathieu Chalme (Girondins de Bordeaux) – Former Lille star Chalme has settled in well following his move to Bordeaux in the summer of 2007. After proving an important outlet for les Girondins over the course of last year, his game has stepped up a notch this term. Never afraid to push on and attack, Chalme’s ability to cross a ball from deep has been important to the success of Marouane Chamakh and even to an extent Yoann Gourcuff, who headed in a fine cross from the 28-year-old with only minutes remaining of a pivotal match in Valenciennes.
Mauro Cetto (Toulouse) – Alain Casanova has built his remarkably successful Toulouse side round a solid defensive base - and the rookie coach has built this solid defensive base around the rugged 27-year-old Argentine. Solid in the air and strong in the tackle, Cetto’s experience has helped carry those somewhat raw players around him. The organiser of the rearguard and the keystone of le Tefece.
Souleymane Diawara (Girondins de Bordeaux) – In his third season at Bordeaux, Diawara cemented his position as a starting centre-back for Laurent Blanc and also ascended to become one of the best in his position in Ligue 1. No Bordeaux defender has played more than the 30-year-old Senegalese star this season, a compliment in itself given that Blanc was himself an outstanding centre-back during his playing days. Strong in the air, Diawara has defended stoutly and scored a rare
[COLOR=#0464d1! important][COLOR=#0464d1! important]couple[/COLOR][/COLOR] of goals, proving himself to be the defensive rock of the potential champions.
Taye Taiwo (Olympique de Marseille) – Flying full-back Taye Taiwo has undoubtedly been the class left-back of Ligue 1 this season. A powerful attacking presence down the flank, Taiwo has been courted by several of Europe’s top sides and after the season he has enjoyed, it’s little wonder. His performance against Grenoble in mid-April summed the Nigerian 24-year-old up; he was bursting to get forward, displayed his capability for striking the ball with unbelievable power but also showcased his finesse with a neat assist.
Midfield
Stephane Sessegnon (Paris Saint-Germain) – PSG pulled off a coup last summer when they attracted Sessegnon to the Parc des Princes from Le Mans. Although a substantial fee, reported to be anything up to €10 million, changed hands, les Parisiens will still feel they have got good value. An effervescent versatile presence, Sessegnon has been at his most successful on the right flank, where he has been able to break forward and support the forward players. A player of great skill, speed and power, he may need to eradicate little inconsistencies in his game before he earns his really big move. Still, the 24-year-old Benin star is a class act in Ligue 1.
Lorik Cana (Olympique de Marseille) – A real leader for les Phoceens, the Albanian international has been an outstanding but often overlooked contributor to OM’s title push this season. Snapping in the tackle, Cana has proved to be one of the most consistent midfielders in Ligue 1 this season, aiding his team’s cause with several sterling defensive showings in the centre of the field. He provides much-needed balance in a Marseille side that places its emphasis on attack.
Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins de Bordeaux) – Quite simply, the Milan loanee has proven himself to be the outstanding player in France this year. Gourcuff has shown that he has everything in his
[COLOR=#0464d1! important][COLOR=#0464d1! important]locker[/COLOR][/COLOR], from dazzling moments of skill to powerfully accurate headers. Confidence has oozed from every one of the 22-year-old’s pores this season as he has scored countless vital goals, set up several more and has generally been the X-factor behind Bordeaux’s challenge for the title. Superb.
Michel Bastos (Lille) – Any Ligue 1 player to be touted for a call up to the Brazilian national side has to be doing something rather special. Michel Bastos has admitted that he is a virtual unknown in his
[COLOR=#0464d1! important][COLOR=#0464d1! important]home[/COLOR][/COLOR] country yet he is a star in France, where he has proven to be a key component in Lille’s season. With 13 goals he is ranked joint-fourth in Ligue 1 while his tally of nine assists places him top in that category. All-in-all, les Dogues’ offence revolves around the 25 year-old, who is surely destined for greater things.
Attack
Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais) – It may not have been as spectacular as his efforts last campaign, but this season has reinforced Benzema’s status as one of France’s best at just 21-years-old. His tally of 16 goals may only have him ranked third in the Ligue 1 scoring charts but he has virtually single-handedly carried an ailing Lyon offence. ‘Benzinho’ has a phenomenal ability to hit the target from even half chances and is equally strong on both feet. And his six goals in Champions League play this season have proven he can compete against the best.
Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse) – The Toulouse striker could quite simply not be left out of the Team of the Year. His contribution to his side has been incredible, finding the net 22 times in Ligue 1 this season – that’s a tally higher than all his team-mates combined. Very much more at home on his right foot than his left, Gignac has come out of Johan Elmander’s shadow since the Swede left for Bolton Wanderers and the 23-year-old has exploded. A player earmarked with great potential from a very young age, Gignac appears on the cusp of fulfilling that, although his game may still be a little limited to perform quite so strongly elsewhere. Made his international bow against Lithuania on April 1.
Lloris
Chalme Diawara Cetto Taiwo
Sessegnon Cana Gourcuff Bastos
Benzema Gignac