Meet the wonderkid who Wenger calls “one of the biggest prospects” in France

Seconds after Lille striker Nolan Roux had scored the 92nd winner at home to Marseille, the camera’s cut to a sullen Florian Thauvin. After being on the receiving end of abuse for the best part of 90 minutes and not playing at his best, he was then beaten by the team that he left without ever making an appearance. It was always going to be difficult, and it showed a huge amount of maturity to walk into the lion’s den, not react in any way to the abuse and at times show glimpses of why Lille signed him in the first place.

The manner in which he forced a move away from the North of France wasn’t pleasant, but at the end of the day Lille made a hefty profit on a player that never played a game for them, also managing to sell an unhappy player for a really good price. Deep down the Lille fans aren’t just angry with Thauvin’s behaviour and conduct, they are upset because one of France’s brightest young talents was supposed to play and develop at the Stade Pierre Mauroy and become the next Eden Hazard, instead he jumped ship, and now they will never get to cheer on his exceptional talent. No one ever gives abuse to players that aren’t a threat.

Thauvin arrived in Lille on the best form of his Marseille career so far. Scoring five goals and providing three assists in his last seven games and the week before against Montpellier he finished with 54 points on the Squawka Performance Score, his best score of the season so far. Against Lille he scored -26, but it wasn’t the best showing, left-back Pape Souare, backed up by Rio Mavuba and Idrissa Gueye kept the French U21 international fairly quiet, although his only shot of the game was very well saved by Vincent Enyeama, protecting his unbeaten record that stretched to 1035 minutes on Tuesday.

He completed two out of six take-ons, one out of four crosses but only managed to complete 12 of his 16 passes. At home to Montpellier he had four shots on goal, opening the scoring, he then later set up Saber Khelifa for the late second goal. That would be the one of eight crossing attempts that found their mark and he completed 20 of his 26 passes, much more involved and his influence was clear to see. This is the perfect time for Thauvin to be playing excellent football, with fellow midfielder Andre Ayew currently out injured till January, this is the Frenchman’s chance to cement his place in the team and make a push for the World Cup squad in Brazil next summer.

After impressing during France’s Under-20 World Cup win there is no reason why, if he can continue to impress, score goals and become a constant supply of chances for the Marseille front-line, he could make Didier Deschamps squad. There is a definite space in the squad for a talented right-winger and Thauvin has all the tools to push himself into the squad. He is quick with and without the ball, at times he looks faster when he has the ball at his feet, his close control is second to none and with a devastating change of direction he is a nightmare to defend. Even Arsene Wenger said that the player is “one of the biggest prospects of French football.”

He is still learning the best time to pick a pass, and when to take on his marker. Against Montpellier he did well to look up and pick out Khelifa for the 2nd goal, his third assist along with six key passes this season, this stat will increase as he matures and develops his game. When you put him next to Loic Remy, Jeremy Menez or Dimitri Payet there is no reason why Thauvin should not be given a chance in the squad if he continues to progress his game.

Tuesday’s treatment in Lille will help the 20-year-old mature and grow, he won’t have to face an as impartial a crowd again for a long time and with the injuries picked up by Payet and Mathieu Valbuena this is now Thauvin’s chance to sign. There is a very good reason why the likes of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Arsenal showed an interest in Thauvin this summer, now he has the move to Marseille that he wanted, the ball in his court, it’s time for Thauvin to show why he is worth all the trouble. A place in Brazil 2014 would certainly prove his point.