THEY DESERVE MORE ACCOLADES (LIGUE 1 EDITION)

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This article is a function of the fact that there are some players who have performed admirably throughout the season but have not been given the deserved level of attention and accolades. I started with the Italian serie A, then the Spanish La Liga Santander, the English premier league version and the German Bundesliga.

This time around I'm going to take a tour of the French Ligue 1 to find out those players who have lit up the league in the course of the season but hasn't been given the required and deserved attention and applause from the media.

LUCAS PAQUETÁ (OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS)

Lucas Paquetá is a Brazilian central midfielder who can play as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfield outlet. The 24 year old is the dictator general for Olympique Lyon, dictating the play from deep and controlling the tempo of the team's play. The left-footed maestro can also play as a right wing forward and being a big goal threat.

The Brazilian midfielder ended the season with with 15 goal contributions (9 goals, 6 assists) in 35 appearances. His statistics might tell a not so impressive tale than his general game contributions.

His versatility has been a big asset for the Lyon team as he can easily cover up for a teammate who might be missing through injury or suspension without the team feeling the effects of the player's absence.

BENJAMIN BOURIGEAUD (RENNES)

Benjamin Bourigeaud was one of the most creative forces in Ligue 1 this season. The 28 year old winger had a fantastic season creating chance after chance for the Ligue 1 team.

The Frenchman has outstanding vision both for a pass and a cross. This is evident in his 12 assists for the season which is only bettered by PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Apart from his assists, the winger has also chipped in with 11 goals for the season.

The France native is a very composed finisher as can be seen in the number of goals he's scored as a winger. He also has a reputation as an unselfish player, laying the ball of on a plate for his teammates. He makes 4.79 shots-creating actions per 90 minutes with a 92% success.

The winger seems to be a late bloomer and I wouldn't mind one of the big European teams taking a gamble on him.

WISSAM BEN YEDDER (MONACO)

Take away PSG and Ben Yedder would've been the face of ligue 1 this season. The focal point of Monaco's attack, Ben Yedder has been a total beast this season for Monaco. The 31 year old contributed a total of 25 goals this season to lead his team to 3rd place on the table.

The France forward scores an average of 0.89 goals per 90minutes, while also chipping in with 5 assists. This attacking Stat ranks him 2nd out of 449 ligue 1 players.

The attacker is one of the best finishers in Europe currently. He can convert comfortably both with his feet and his head. He also has an eye for a pass, a good hold up play, and quick for his age. The icing on the cake being that he's also good at set pieces. Perhaps if he can replicate this form with France at the UEFA Nations League, he might still be snapped up for a decent fee.

AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI (MONACO)

The real Madrid bound combative midfielder has been an engine room for the French side since arriving from Bordeaux. The youngster is a fantastic reader of the game, frequently picking up loose balls and intercepting passes.

The midfield star is an athletic ball winning midfielder who can operate either as single pivot or part of a double pivot. His athleticism is equally complimented by a technical prowess usually exhibited in his long diagonal passes from the deep.

The france international has the ability to pick eye of the needle passes while also being very adept at exploiting vacated spaces. He chipped in with 3 goals and 2 assists for the season.

He also got booked 9 times which is an indication that he's not shy of jumping into tackles. With Real Madrid already on his trail and about to take him to the Bernabeu, I can only salivate at a prospect of a future partnership with Camavinga in the Merengues midfield.

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