Team of the Season is just around the corner, so we thought we'd make some predictions for who we expect to see in each of the major league Team of the Season squads coming during the promo this year.
Through the words of Patric, and the graphics of Helmar Designs, we'll show you who's expected to star in each team, explain the reasons for their inclusion, and give you a glimpse of what their Team of the Season Items could look like.
Previously, we've looked at who could be in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A & LaLiga TOTS squads, but today we'll be taking a look at potential players from Ligue 1.
Ligue 1 Team of the Season Prediction
Ligue 1 TOTS Starting XI
GK: Pau López (Marseille)
Starting with the goalkeeper spot in my Ligue 1 predictions and it’s not Donnarumma. I was between Yehvann Diouf and Pau Lopez for a while but in the end, I went with the Marseille shot-stopper because of their slightly better defensive record compared to Reims. Pau Lopez joined Marseille from Roma and since then established himself as the number one keeper for Marseille. Although Marseille will most likely not be able to catch PSG at the top of the table, he still should be seen playing European football next season.
RWB: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille)
Probably one of the best fullbacks/wingbacks in European football is Jonathan Clauss. Jonathan Clauss was the guy, the most important piece to the RC Lens puzzle which led them to a fantastic eighth position by the end of the 2021/22 season, one point short of qualifying for the Europa League. Clauss is already on a goal and five assists this season with Marseille after a €7.5m move. He is a world-class right-wing-back, simple as that.
LB: Caio Henrique (AS Monaco)
It could happen that we won't see a centre-back from Paris SG in the Ligue 1 TOTS this FIFA with them not being consistent enough. Instead, we could see some fullbacks being in and one of them is Monaco's Caio Henrique who's enjoying a really good campaign so far. Monaco conceded 40 goals so far this season, but compared to that they also scored the second most goals in the league with 66, and Henrique's contributions have been critical, having scored once but assisting nine which is the third most in assists behind Neymar and first placed Messi.
LB: Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Nuno Mendes came through Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2020. In August 2021, he joined Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year loan deal, lifted the Ligue 1 title, and signed for the club permanently for €38 million. The 20-year-old plays as a left-sided attacking full-back or wing-back, allowing him to create danger from a standing start or whilst on the counter-attack. Apart from his dribbling, he boasts an excellent crossing ability, whether tightly marked or open in space, and his physical prowess allows him to beat opponents to the ball with his speed or strength. Nuno Mendes has played 28 games for PSG in all competitions this campaign, scoring 2 goals as well as supplying 5 assists.
CB: Facundo Medina (Lens)
Hailing from Argentina, Facundo Medina is your typical South American centre-half; passionate, and aggressive, but with a confidence in possession that not many 23-year-olds have. The 23-year-old Argentine defender has been a key player for the French club Lens, and his performances have attracted the attention of the Premier League club. Despite his tendency for a reckless change, Medina’s vocal leadership, and turn of pace convinced Lens to pay a fairly measly £3.2 million to acquire his services. Watching him in Ligue 1 is yet further proof of his unique style of play. He defends on the front foot, always looking to win it back as quickly as possible; it’s something that has endeared him to the Lens faithful, as well as his vocal leadership alongside Kevin Danso and Jonathan Gradit.
CDM: Enzo Le Fée (Lorient)
Bournemouth’s owner has a minority share in Lorient, and the Premier League side already plucked one of Ligue 1’s big attacking breakout stars, Dango Ouattara, in the winter transfer window. They were close to signing Enzo Le Fée, but Lorient was able to hold onto their current best player. Le Fée is legitimately one of the best players in Ligue 1 and one of the best young midfielders in European football. The 23-year-old has scored four goals with five assists despite being one of the most active defensive players on the continent. A Summer move will happen as he recently announced his department and the new club will get a gem.
CM: Seko Fofana (Lens)
The veritable heartbeat of Franck Haise's Lens team, Fofana was targeted by Premier League sides in August, but the 27-year-old Ivorian international feels a strong attachment to Les Sang et Or… and - to the Lens fans' delight - he opted to commit his future to the club. The love affair between Fofana and Lens started in 2020 when the muscular midfielder made his debut against Bordeaux - and he has been the fans' darling ever since. Appointed captain last year, Fofana enjoyed a superb season. He was ever-present, scoring eight goals and inspiring Lens to a seventh-placed finish. This year, it has been the same story… with the only difference being that Lens' results are even better! Fofana was in match-winning form against Rennes back in August, and he has continued to inspire those around him with his all-action midfield displays. Fofana can finish, but he's also a creator – as he showed against PSG recently, setting up Loïs Openda to score.
CAM: Téji Savanier (Montpellier)
The 31-year-old central midfielder has circled the French football circuit, playing with Nîmes in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 from 2015 to 2019 before joining Montpellier located in the south of France. At his current club, Savanier has been moved around positionally, starting as a deep central midfielder in a midfield two and now playing as a number 10 at centre stage, conducting the creative orchestra in the attack. Téji Savanier’s technical quality has been on display within French football for quite a while, regardless of him playing in mid-table and not playing for the likes of PSG or other European giants Manchester City and Real Madrid, but his name may come into question or not even be considered when discussing the top midfield talents within France.
CF: Lionel Messi (PSG)
While he wasn’t half as bad as people acted like he was in his first season with PSG, it is 100 per cent true that he offered a disappointing output relative to what we all know he is capable of. Well, Messi has been at his vintage best in 2022/23. The Argentine playmaker has 15 goals and 14 assists to his name, as well as 2.4 key passes and 3.3 dribbles completed per match. Messi has been providing his trademark mazy runs, one-twos, and highlight-reel goals. The connection with Neymar was very much back, and Messi is very much the best player in the world.
ST: Jonathan David (Lille)
Jonathan David has always looked like a talented player, but the young Lille striker is finally becoming a star this season, putting it all together consistently. The Canadian star has truly improved his all-around game, becoming better at setting up chances for teammates and using just one touch to create a goal-scoring opportunity. David has four assists and 1.4 key passes per game, which are excellent numbers for a striker, particularly a striker who primarily scores goals. And David does indeed score, finding the back of the net 20 times in 29 appearances.
ST: Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
Kylian Mbappé has been overshadowed a bit by Lionel Messi and Neymar this season, but he has very much been one of the best forwards in European football this season. Of course, Mbappé is better coming onto his right foot from the left-hand side than he is at striker, yet even in his second-best position, Mbappé is one of the very best in Europe. A threat on the ball, Mbappé has averaged 1.6 key passes per game and 1.8 dribbles completed per match, doing a ton of work off the ball for PSG, too. Leading the scoring charts with 22 goals and 4 assists, Mbappé is without any doubt being one of the most wanted TOTS cards.
Ligue 1 TOTS Substitutes
ST: Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
Alexandre Lacazette has been such an important signing for Lyon, returning to Ligue 1 after a successful spell with Arsenal. The 31-year-old has been vital to Lyon avoiding embarrassment this season. They’ve been arguably the most disappointing team in Ligue 1, along with Nice, sitting in 7th. However, Lacazette has more than held up his end of the bargain, scoring goals and creating chances for his teammates, playing as a veteran striker should. Alexandre Lacazette has 11 goals, 4 assists, 1.7 key passes per game, 1.0 dribbles completed per game, and 1.4 fouls drawn per match. There isn’t a more well-rounded striker in the league right now.
LM: Alexandr Golovin (Monaco)
Alexandr Golovin is currently enjoying his best season yet with Monaco, having proven to be a key part of Philippe Clement’s squad with seven goals and seven assists since the start of the season to help bring Monaco up to third place in the Ligue 1 table as it stands. The Russian international has been in particularly good form since the season resumed after the December break, having been decisive in Monaco’s 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, while also scoring the league’s goal of the month with an unstoppable shot against Brest. As a result of his good performances Monaco extended his contract until 2026 and I'm sure this isn't the last time we'll see him in TOTS.
ST: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco)
Wissam Ben Yedder's disappointment over missing the World Cup was so big that his current scoring form for Monaco has taken many by surprise. After an uninspired start to the season, the striker peaked at the right time last year and hoped that France coach Didier Deschamps would notice. But despite being a regular with Les Bleus for the past two years, Ben Yedder was not included in the squad for the tournament in Qatar. Since the league resumed at the end of December following France’s runner-up finish at the World Cup, the former Toulouse and Sevilla forward has scored for fun, embodying Monaco’s resurgence as the club bids for a Champions League berth.
ST: Folarin Balogun (Stade Reims)
Staying in the city of Reims, Folarin Balogun has been sensational in 2022/23 for the Red and Whites. Balogun is an Arsenal loanee who has seemingly followed in the footsteps of centre-back William Saliba, starring as arguably the best player in the league at his position while on loan from the current Premier League leaders. Only four players in Ligue 1 have more goals than Balogun, and two of those players are just about always at the top of the scorer charts in Jonathan David and global superstar Kylian Mbappé. Balogun has been clinical and explosive, constantly getting into dangerous areas and finishing off chances. He is one of the best pure goal-scorers on the continent right now at 21 years of age.
RM: Franck Honorat (Stade Brestois)
At Stade Brestois 29, Franck Honorat is not only scoring goals - he has also earned a reputation as a creator by racking up a prodigious number of final passes before a shot in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. Franck Honorat is a key figure in the Brittany side's attacking play. The proof is in his most spectacular performance, at Angers, where the forward was involved in all four goals scored in the 4-0 win, including a hat-trick of assists! A great first for him in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, but also in his career.
CAM: Rémy Cabella (Lille)
Bar a catastrophic appearance against OGC Nice, during which he was responsible for Les Aiglons’ winner, Rémy Cabella has been a consistent performer for Paulo Fonseca’s side since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer. The former Montpellier, Marseille, Newcastle United and Saint-Étienne midfielder has thus far accumulated 22 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and registering seven assists and has the option to extend his contract for another year if he desires.
CM: Branco van den Boomen (Toulouse)
Enzo Le Fée will be a star for years to come, but Branco van den Boomen may be an even more exciting breakout player to watch despite being 27 years old. That’s because the Toulouse midfielder is one of the premier playmakers in European football. He is spearheading Toulouse’s better-than-expected season in Ligue 1, as the newly-promoted side sits 12th in the French top flight. Branco van den Boomen has five goals and eight assists, and he has been one of the most lethal players in the world from set pieces both as a provider and scorer. The Dutchman is averaging a whopping 2.5 key passes per game, placing him among the elite playmakers in Ligue 1, such as Lionel Messi.
CB: Andrei Girotto (Nantes)
Andrei Girotto probably doesn’t come to mind when discussing the best players in Ligue 1, but the experienced Nantes centre-back has been outstanding. He is averaging 3.4 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per game, making him one of the most statistically productive centre-backs in European football. A match-winning defender for Nantes, Girotto is doing his best to make sure the Canaries stay well clear of the drop zone. He’s been beyond words this season. If you haven’t had a chance to watch him play this season, try to change that.
ST: Loïs Openda (Lens)
This season RC Lens has arguably been the best story in Ligue 1. Until a recent tough stretch of results, the club appeared to be in a solid position to secure a Champions League spot, their best league finish since winning the title in 1998. A brave tactical framework and smart recruitment have allowed the club to punch above their weight since returning to the first tier of French football in 2020-21. One of those who was brought in with smart recruiting is Belgian Loïs Openda who’s at 15 goals and 2 assists so far this season.
When is the Ligue 1 TOTS released for FIFA 23?
The Ligue 1 TOTS is expected to be released on June 2nd, however, that has not been confirmed by EA Sports just yet.
Do you agree with our Ligue 1 Team of the Season? Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments!
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