Top-10 Players in Ligue 1
Which players make our list of best players in the French top division?
After Yohan Cabaye completed his move from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, SillySeason thought it would be a good idea to take a peak into which stars are currently dominating the French top division.
Cabaye left Paris Saint-Germain to join Crystal Palace because he couldn’t get enough game-time at the French champions, and with Euro 2016 next summer, the midfielder wants to be playing regularly in order to make Didier Deschamps‘ squad.
So we thought it would be a good idea to take a look into Ligue 1 and which stars are currently applying their trade in that league.
As you would expect, there are a fair few players from Paris Saint-Germain in this list, but that’s simply because they have the money to sign the top stars.
So anyway, lets begin with the list of our top-10 players in French’s top division.
10. Thiago Motta – Paris Saint-Germain
Starting the list of the Top 10 French Ligue 1 Footballers is Paris Saint Germain midfielder Thiago Motta.
The strong centre-midfielder is a massive presence in the heart of PSG‘s midfield and despite being 32-years-old, he is still a regular for Laurent Blanc‘s side.
Born in Brazil, but represents Italy at national level, Motta has been in France for three years now after agreeing to join PSG from Inter Milan.
He has gone on to make 85 Ligue 1 appearances for the French champions.
9. Alexandre Lacazette
Coming in at number-nine is one of the best young players in France and after his performances last season, he’s certainly seen as one of the top talents in French football.
Only 24-years-old, Lacazette has many years ahead of him and after his standout campaign last season, he’s already being linked with a mega-money move to the Premier League.
Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing him, but as are Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
The striker has been with Lyon all his career and has made 139 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring 51 goals in the process.
8. Jérémy Toulalan – AS Monaco
Our first AS Monaco player comes in at number-eight and it’s the veteran Jeremy Toulalan.
He was one of the signings Monaco made when mega-money was pumped into the club, following the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.
However, two of those three have already left, but Toulalan has remained loyal to the club and is still featuring regularly in the heart of their midfield.
Very similar player to Motta, who made number-10 on our list, a rock-solid man to have in the centre of the park.
7. Stéphane Ruffier – Saint-Étienne
Our first goalkeeper on the list is Saint-Etienne‘s number-one, Stephane Ruffier.
At 28-years-old, the ‘keeper still has plenty years left in between the sticks, but he could be applying his trade elsewhere in the near future as several European clubs continue to monitor his performances in France.
He’s been with St Etienne since 2011, after completing a switch from AS Monaco, and has gone on to make over 150 league appearances for the club.
6. João Moutinho – AS Monaco
Mentioned earlier as one of the signings made when AS Monaco was pumped with money, Joao Moutinho makes our list in sixth place.
The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League over the years, with Tottenham Hotspur continuously linked with signing him.
However, he’s stayed put in France and has become a crucial part of Monaco‘s team.
He hasn’t been swayed to leave the club as of yet, unlike other big-name stars, Falcao and Rodriguez.
5. Blaise Matuidi – Paris Saint-Germain
Possibly one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the game right now.
Blaise Matuidi is a is a powerhouse in the middle of the park for Paris Saint-Germain and he has developed a superb partnership with the likes of Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot.
Matuidi has been with PSG for four years now after moving from French rivals Saint-Etienne.
He has made over 100 appearances for the club.
4. Salvatore Sirigu – Paris Saint-Germain
The second and final goalkeeper to make our list is PSG‘s number-one Salvatore Sirigu.
It’s common for goalkeepers to not get the credit they deserve in a top-team because he’s usually surrounded by top players in front of him stealing all the headlines, but not in SillySeason‘s eyes.
It is vital to have a top ‘keeper between the sticks and players usually say you won’t win anything unless you have a pair of safe hands defending your goal.
That is what Sirigu is. Easily the best goalkeeper in France and fully deserves his spot in fourth on our list of best Ligue 1 players.
3. Edinson Cavani – Paris Saint Germain
In third-place and winning our bronze medal is Edinson Cavani. Yes another PSG star.
His time in Paris has been a strange one, with reports continuously linking him with moves away from Ligue 1, but no fan could argue about his ability.
One of the best striker’s in the world during his Napoli days, Cavani hasn’t replicated that in Paris, but that will be down to his new position within the club.
Due to Blanc using a 4-3-3 formation, Cavani has been pushed to the left-wing meaning he’s out of position and not the focus point spearheading the attack.
However, their lone striker isn’t too bad. As you all will know.
2. Thiago Silva – Paris Saint Germain
Possibly the best central-defender in the game? We think so.
Thiago Silva was a major coup for PSG after signing him from AC Milan and he’s arguably the greatest player in his position.
The Brazilian is a leader, commanding in his area and a natural born winner and is vital to PSG.
Slowly forming a partnership with David Luiz at the back, Silva is one of the most reliable defenders you could possibly have. Strong, rough and also pretty fast on his feet, Silva is almost the perfect defender.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Paris Saint Germain
Remember when we said PSG‘s lone-striker isn’t that bad? Well here he is.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic tops our list for the best player in Ligue 1 and who would argue?
His ability is incredible and he’s often considered one of the best players in the world. He is a human highlight reel.
The goals he scores, the passes he makes, the tricks he does and just his all-round game is easy on the eye even if it does look like he isn’t trying half the time.
An unreal talent who is still doing it on a regular basis for the French champions.