France continues to be a hotbed for exciting young talents in football. Their education for youngsters rising through the ranks is up there with the very best and there’s a reason some of the top clubs in the world continue to monitor and sign players from the Ligue 1.
Young talents from France are thought to be effective while also ensuring they grow up to be respectable human beings. The right combination of the two continues to outline just why they’re some of the most sought-after talents in the world.
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But some players stand out from others – even as kids. Some are born with natural ability while some work twice or thrice as much as others to get where they are. Here’s looking at five of the best young talents from France right now: (Under-23 only)
#5 Aymeric Laporte – € 25 million
One of the very first and very few non-Basque born players to represent Atletic Bilbao is 22-year-old centre-back, Aymeric Laporte. For him to achieve the said feat is a massive tick mark on his footballing pedigree given how strict the club are regarding the reservation.
Laporte is a commanding defender capable of outplaying and outthinking forwards with his pace, his strength and his awareness of positioning and space in dire situations. He's quick on his feet to judge attacks and makes the right kind of play almost everytime he's on the grass.
Valued at around €25 million in the market, the Frenchman has a massive €65 million release clause in his contract that ends only in 2020. Having been linked with a move to La Liga rivals Barcelona in the past, it seems likely that he’ll be able to do so only at a much later date.
(Video Courtesy: WorldOfFootballHD YouTube Channel)
#4 Samuel Umtiti – €25 million
Barcelona waited and waited to sign Laporte but gave up once they found out he had committed to a new contract, but their ‘plan B’ is just as impressive if not better. 23-year-old Samuel Umtiti signed for the Catalans at the start of the season from Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyon.
And what a signing he’s been. Despite the few chances, owing to a few injuries, Umtiti has been solid whenever he’s been fielded. Forging a celebrated partnership with Gerard Pique was a vital aspect of how his career at the Camp Nou would go and he’s done that, just as many expected.
Umtiti is another exciting young defender who can only get better playing with some of the world’s bests. He’s still young and Luis Enrique considers him to be one of the better signings the club have made in recent seasons – the kind of compliment that could go on to define a young footballer.
(Video Courtesy: ScoutNationHD YouTube Channel)
#3 Raphael Varane – €30 million
Despite having won the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA European Championships with Portugal, Real Madrid are ready to let Pepe leave the club this season. And the only reason for them to do so is because they have one of the best young footballing talents in the game in 23-year-old Raphael Varane.
The former Lens star hasn’t been a regular for Real Madrid ever since signing in 2011 but could very well go on to become the kind of rock at the back the club have had in Sergio Ramos. He’s amongst the fastest defenders in the world at the moment – a claim we can confidently back given he outsprinted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a UEFA Champions League game – and he continues to set the trend for young defenders to follow: safety first all the time.
Varane isn’t a ‘future talent’ for France, he’s pretty much what they need right now. Alongside a more experienced centre-back like in Laurent Koscielny or Adil Rami, he’ll flourish and surely become of their best ever. It’s only a matter of time.
(Video Courtesy: BlansaroniTV YouTube Channel)
#2 Anthony Martial – €32 million
While I'm not a fan of how Jose Mourinho is treating Anthony Martial at Manchester United this season, he continues to be one of the most exciting young footballers not just in France but in the whole world.
The 21-year-old was Manchester United's unofficial Player of the Year last season for the way he acclimatised to the club having moved to them on deadline day. His goal against Liverpool on his debut was the clearest of signs that the youngster was destined for the very top.
Martial might not be a regular for the side this season, but he's still managed to score 6 goals in all competitions while also providing 3 assists. His incisiveness with the ball at his feet is mesmerising to watch and given he's so young, the potential for him is limitless.
With time, and regular first-team action, Martial is sure to become a world-beater and could finally help France reach the pinnacle of International football – like one of his idols, Thierry Henry did 17 years ago in the UEFA European Championships.
(Video Courtesy: Dash YouTube Channel)
#1 Paul Pogba – €80 million
Despite all the shortcomings he's had this season, and the amount of harsh words he's had to hear about his performances, Paul Pogba remains one of football's crown jewels. He's only 23 and has the potential to become someone in the ilk of Zinedine Zidane or Paul Scholes.
Pogba has the natural athletic ability not many players are blessed with. He's 6'2", has good pace for a midfielder and has the poise, touch, and control of a forward in the penalty box. He's the real complete package.
Given that he pretty much had to choose between signing for Real Madrid or re-signing for Manchester United for a world-record fee further proves what a talent he is. It's not often those two clubs are willing to part with a significant chunk of their money to invest in someone who's only 23.
The Frenchman has made 28 appearances for Manchester United this season scoring 6 goals and recording 4 assists – impressive stats for someone who was brought to dominate in the middle of the park rather than up top.
(Video Courtesy: BlansaroniTV YouTube Channel)
