You're The One For Me, Faty: Ligue 1 starlets heading for England?

French Football / James Eastham / 30 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

With the January transfer window fast approaching, French football expert James Eastham profiles the players who could make the journey across the English channel.

Yohann Pele
Age: 26
Club: Le Mans
Position: Goalkeeper

If Harry Redknapp were looking for a relatively cheap replacement for gaffe-prone Heurelho Gomes, he could do worse than turn to Le Mans' Yohann Pele. Once regarded as France's best young goalkeeper, Marseille's Steve Mandanda and Lyon's Hugo Lloris have overtaken him in the past 12 months - but Pele's recent first France call-up underlines his abilities. Commanding in the air, this gentle giant (6ft 4in) lacks personality but is probably the most consistent keeper in France.

Franck Beria
Age: 25
Club: Lille
Position: Right-back/centre-half

Equally comfortable at right-back or in the centre of defence, Beria's main assets are eye-catching pace and superb technique. His ability on the ball is much better than the average centre-half, positioning sound, and speed gets him out of trouble on the rare occasions he's in the wrong spot. Alan Hutton is worth £8 million - what price Beria? Would cost around £4 million.

Kader Mangane
Age: 25
Club: Rennes
Position: Centre-half

Rennes' authoritative manager Guy Lacombe signed him from Lens last summer and converted him from a holding midfielder into an imposing centre-half. 6ft 3in, Mangane is outstanding in the air and regularly saves the skin of inept central defensive partner Petter Hansson on the ground. A whole lot better than other African defenders (Meite, Abdoulaye Faye) to have crossed the channel in recent years, this Senegal international would make someone a bargain buy.

Jacques Faty
Age: 24
Club: Sochaux
Position: Centre-half
Considered one of the most promising teenagers in France five or six years ago, his career hit the buffers last season at Marseille, where he failed to pin down a first-team place. Injuries have interrupted his progress since he joined Sochaux last summer, but before such fitness problems came along he showed signs of becoming les Doubistes' leader at the back. Beautifully balanced and always able to find time in possession, Faty remains a player of awesome potential.

Gael Givet
Age: 27
Club: Marseille
Position: Centre-half/left-back

A France international and Champions League finalist at Monaco in 2004, Givet's career has come to a full stop at Marseille, whose coach, Eric Gerets, doesn't rate him, meaning the Arles-born player would be available at a knock-down price. A tough, uncompromising defender, his physical strength and anvil of a left foot would make him a smart Premier League choice.

Moussa Narry
Age: 22
Club: Auxerre
Position: Central midfielder

An African Champions League winner at Etoile du Sahel last year, he expected to be used sparingly when he joined Auxerre last summer but has become an integral member of Jean Fernandez's mid-table team .Operating in front of the defence, he's combative, positionally wise and excellent on the ball and considered one of the best holding midfielders in France just six months after his arrival. An outstanding prospect, he will get better.

Moussa Sissoko
Age: 19
Club: Toulouse
Position: Central midfielder

The gangly midfielder was man-of-the-match as a 17-year-year-old when Toulouse beat Lyon 1-0 at the start of last season - and hasn't looked back. Used sparingly since, but that more because of his age than a lack of ability. His athletic abilities carry him from box to box and he passes simply and effectively. Possesses the confidence that seems to imbue all French players that comes off the endless conveyorbelt of talent across the channel.

Ludovic Obraniak
Age: 24
Club: Lille
Position: Right winger

One of the most technically complete players in France, Obraniak has established himself as a key member of Rudi Garcia's five-man midfield at Lille. Plays on the right wing but is equally comfortable on the left or operating behind a central striker, he can finish with either foot, has a cool head in front of goal and has the technique and vision to create chances for team-mates. This tremendous footballer would be an unsung hero in the Premier League.

Moussa Sow
Age: 22
Club: Rennes
Position: Winger/In the hole

Looked great in a handful of appearances in 2006-07 before being loaned out to Ligue 2 side Sedan in 2007-08 - and has built on a promising start to his career since returning to Rennes this term. Can play on either wing or through the middle and has proved a man for the big occasion by scoring crucial goals as a starter or coming off the bench in Europe and at home this season. Very quick, an excellent dribbler and possessing bags of confidence, he's an emerging star in an excellent Rennes side.

Fode Mansare
Age: 27
Club: Toulouse
Position: Left winger

One of those players whose potential is wasted because of the club he's at. Toulouse play defensive football, meaning Mansare's marauding left-wing skills are largely wasted as he's in and out of the side. His supply line from the flank was one of the main reasons Johan Elmander became an £8 million striker, and you feel he would love the opportunity to link up with a similar, swashbuckling striker again. Gary Megson, are you reading this?

Kevin Monnet-Paquet
Age: 20
Club: Lens
Position: Striker

Too good for Lens last season when they were in the top flight, so the France U21 international is definitely performing below his level now that the Sang et Or are playing in Ligue 2. A winger when he first broke into the first-team, Monnet-Paquet has that wonderful ability to run as quickly with the ball as without. Has scored five goals in 13 appearances in France's second tier and been linked with a host of clubs at home and abroad. Lens will do well to hold on to him in January.