Five Ligue 1 breakout stars this season

Robin Bairner

16 Dec 2021 08:40 CST
5 min read

Sofiane Diop celebrates scoring for Monaco in Ligue 1 — © ProShots

Ligue 1 continues to be unrivalled in terms of volume talent production.

Although PSG are dominating the division, European results have shown that France’s top flight is in good nick, with all six of its representatives progressing to the knockout stages of the competition in the spring. Indeed, Rennes, Lille, Lyon and Monaco all progressed as group winners.

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But who has been shining domestically in France? Here are five players who have been making a name for themselves in Le Championnat this season.

Melvin Bard (Nice)

Departed Lyon in the summer after failing to be guaranteed first-team football and instead moved to Nice, where he has quickly established himself as the starting figure on the left side of the defence. Started the season in brilliant form, providing a fine offensive outlet but also a solid defensive presence. Has found things trickier in recent weeks, but that was to be expected as he settles into playing regularly.

Mohamed Bayo (Clermont)

Prolific as Clermont won promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time in their history, the club’s academy product has continued his prolific scoring at the top level. Bayo already has a commendable nine goals to his credit this season – a tally that many forwards would be satisfied with over the course of the whole season. Given such form, it is no surprise that he is starting to attract attention from abroad and, most notably, the Premier League.

Jonathan David (Lille)

There will be some who argue that Jonathan David is not a breakout star as such, but there is little doubt that the Canada international has elevated his level substantially this season. Who would have thought, for example, that he would be leading the scoring charts at this point in the season? His achievements are all the more remarkable given how mediocre Lille have been domestically, while he has played a large part in their surge to the last 16 of the Champions League.

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Sofiane Diop (Monaco)

Towards the end of last season, Diop was imposing himself in the Monaco starting XI. Now he is arguably their key player. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is regularly performing to a high standard, supplying five goals and two assists domestically. He was touted as a future star when he arrived from Rennes in 2018 and is living up to that billing.

Hugo Ekitike (Reims)

Hugo Ekitike had not played a single Ligue 1 match before the season began, yet that has not stopped him scoring seven goals in just 16 matches. He has also supplied another three assists. His goal has to be maintain his current form, but even if he does not find the net between now and May, he will surely have exceeded his expectations for the season.