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France have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal across positions. French players have enjoyed great success in club and international football, especially in the last few years.
Didier Deschamps' men won their second title at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia three years ago. Although they failed to accomplish the World Cup-Euro double this year, France added the UEFA Nations League title to their kitty.
Many top French players have played key roles for their clubs in major domestic leagues and European football this year. On that note, here's a look at the five best French players this year:
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#5 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is one of the most talented midfielders in the game at the moment. However, the Frenchman has largely failed to replicate his national team heroics in club football.
That explains why the 28-year-old's stint at Manchester United has been a mixed bag of sorts. Pogba has never really set the stage on fire at Old Trafford, despite his undeniable quality and ability.
The Frenchman seemed set to correct that anomaly this campaign, racking up seven assists in his first four league games, including four in his first.
However, Pogba inexplicably went off the boil after a blistering start. He is currently out of action after sustaining an injury while on international duty.
The Frenchman has featured prominently for France this year, playing 12 competitive games. He scored a stunner in the Round of 16 defeat at Euro 2020 to Switzerland.
With Pogba yet to agree a contract extension with United, it remains to be seen if he will stay at Old Trafford beyond next summer.
#4 Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde is one of the most sought-after centre-backs in the game right now. The 23-year-old has been a solid performer for Sevilla since his arrival at the Andalusian club two summers ago.
A quintessential ball-playing defender, the diminutive Kounde has a passing accuracy that would put many top midfielders to shame.
Thanks to his imperious exploits, Kounde earned his first French call-up this year. The Frenchman has played six games for Les Bleus, including two in their victorious Nations League campaign.
With his stock on the rise, many top clubs are in the fray for Kounde's services. It's only a matter of time before the talented Frenchman moves to a bigger club.
#3 N'Golo Kante
Frenchman N'Golo Kante is arguably one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game at the moment.
The 30-year-old played a key role in Chelsea's unexpected run to the UEFA Champions League title last season. Kante was a colossus in midfield, breaking up opposition attacks and also contributing with an assist up front.
The former Leicester City man is the first player to win Premier League titles with different clubs in successive years. Kante is on his way to adding to that tally, having already contributed two goals for Chelsea who are third in the league table.
Despite being plagued by injuries, Kante played all four games for France at Euro 2020. However, he missed their triumphant Nations League campaign.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (PSG/France)
Kylian Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the game at the moment.
Still only 22, the Frenchman is already a FIFA World Cup and Nations League winner, and has won multiple Ligue 1 titles as well. After a rollicking 2020-21 season that saw him score 42 goals, Mbappe endured an uncharacteristically slow start to his new campaign.
Nevertheless, the PSG attacker has outshone his more illustrious team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar this season. He has bagged 11 goals and ten assists across competitions. One of these strikes in the Champions League made the Frenchman the youngest player to rack up 30 goals in the competition.
After a poor tournament at Euro 2020, Mbappe scored twice in France's victorious Nations League campaign. He then became the first French player to score a competitive quadruple as Les Bleus sealed their berth at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Touted by many as a future Ballon d'Or winner, Mbappe is widely tipped to join Real Madrid next summer as he seeks a new challenge. It remains to be seen if PSG will be able to convince him to stay on at the Parc Des Princes next season.
#1 Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has been a standout performer for club and country this year. His failure to win a major title with Real Madrid this year probably cost him a maiden Ballon d'Or award.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman has continued his imperious exploits in 2021. Returning to the national team fold for the first time in six years, Benzema has scored nine times, all of them in competitive fixtures.
In La Liga, the 33-year-old has hit a different level, bagging 13 goals and 11 assists to help Real Madrid climb atop the league table. With 35 goals this year, the Frenchman has also equalled his most prolific calendar-year campaign in club football for Real Madrid.
Aging like fine wine, Benzema is all set to win his second La Liga title in three years and his first Pichichi award come the end of the 2021-22 season.
