GFFN

Pierre Lees-Melou has been introduced because the winner of the 2024 version of the Get French Soccer Information (GFFN) 100. Nonetheless, GFFN’s panel of journalists weren’t unequivocal in handing the award of Finest Participant in Ligue 1 to the influential Stade Brestois midfielder. Under, those that voted clarify their reasoning for his or her No.1 choose.

Luke Entwistle – Editor-in-Chief

No.1 choose – Pierre Lees-Melou

Kylian Mbappé’s departure from Ligue 1, coupled with PSG’s new technique, transferring away from big-name gamers and famend international stars, threw the race for this yr’s award huge open. Jonathan David’s prolific goal-scoring type throughout 2024, in addition to the extremely constant and influential Vitinha at PSG, would each have deserved the GFFN 100 Participant of the 12 months title, in my view.

Nonetheless, I went for Brest’s Pierre Lees-Melou. His out-of-possession statistics ranked him among the many greatest midfielders in Europe final season as he performed the starring position in Brest’s fairytale success story as they certified for European soccer for the primary time of their historical past. It’s partly that collective achievement that edged it for me as no participant at any membership was as central to the group’s success as Lees-Melou was at Brest.

Liam Wraith – Sub-Editor

No.1 choose -Bradley Barcola

Bradley Barcola was my choose for Participant of the 12 months due to how he has supplied PSG a quantum of solace in assault following the departure of one in every of world soccer’s largest names in Kylian Mbappé. The France worldwide has change into Luis Enrique’s most reliable possibility in assault forward of the likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos has discovered his toes in entrance of aim within the course of with spectacular scoring type this time period. Changing the Actual Madrid attacker was at all times going to be an unimaginable process however the former Lyon winger’s distinctive adaptation to Les Parisiens’ main attacking pressure is worthy of such an accolade.

Bastien Cheval – Sub-Editor

No.1 choose -Bradley Barcola

I picked Bradley Barcola because the GFFN Ligue 1 Participant of the 12 months courtesy of his exceptional enchancment over these final 12 months. When PSG knocked on Lyon’s door final yr to safe his companies, I assumed that Barcola can be used as a squad participant, becoming Les Parisiens’ new sporting coverage revolving round luring younger French abilities.

I used to be confirmed fallacious as Barcola went from power to power, displaying a novel skill to function on each wings of a entrance three and, most significantly for a striker, a deadly contact in entrance of aim. Tasked with the unimaginable mission of changing Kylian Mbappé, Barcola went up a gear, taking the lead in PSG’s assault with ten objectives within the first 11 Ligue 1 video games of the marketing campaign.

George Boxall – Sub-Editor

No.1 choose – Pierre Lees-Melou

Pierre Lees-Melou is a reputation we received’t neglect for a very long time in French soccer. Seemingly popping out of nowhere, the Frenchman has been the midfield linchpin for one of many biggest success tales in Ligue 1 this century. The rise of Brest and their journey in Europe must be credited partly to Lees-Melou: whether or not he sits in entrance of defence or acts as a danger-man on the sting of the field, he’s been an unimaginable talisman. The distinction is obvious when Éric Roy is ready to choose the Frenchman, such is his significance to Les Pirates over the previous yr.

The Frenchman represents all the pieces that’s nice concerning the French soccer pyramid, and the flexibility for surprising protagonists to rise to the very prime. For that, he greater than deserves to be recognised as the most effective participant in French soccer this yr.

Raphaël Jucobin – Sub-Éditor

No.1 choose – Pierre Lees-Melou

The standout participant of Brest’s sensational calendar yr. Lees-Melou was the first midfield pressure that helped the Bretons end in third place final season, constantly handing over commanding performances throughout the pitch. By way of his sheer amount of interceptions, recoveries and driving ahead runs, the 31-year-old has been an imposing presence on Ligue 1 pitches in 2024. Whereas he has been much less efficient in entrance of aim in comparison with previous seasons, every one in every of his 5 strikes has been decisive — notably, his late winner towards Marseille again in February.

Though he has missed a lot of the brand new marketing campaign because of a fibula damage, Lees-Melou has continued to ship when known as upon — his volleyed equaliser towards Bayer Leverkusen within the Champions League notably springs to thoughts. Already nicely overdue a France call-up, the previous Bordeaux youth participant will stay a critical contender for Les Bleus’ midfield if he returns to motion within the new yr with the identical aplomb.

Nick Hartland – Sub-Editor

No.1 choose – Vitinha

Vitinha has change into the unlikely figurehead of a brand new period within the French capital. He embodies PSG’s shift in direction of the larger image quite than the larger title, as he was not purchased for his star energy however for his utility. 

Final season was a transformative level in Vitinha’s profession as he was entrusted with the keys to Luis Enrique’s midfield. He pulled the strings of a group that received a home double and reached the Champions League semi-final. 

And in the summertime he was rewarded with a spot in Roberto Martínez’s Portuguese choice for the Euros. Vitinha can also be an exceptionally enjoyable participant to observe. He’s a terrier in defence and velvet on the ball. For me, he’s a very powerful participant in probably the most profitable group in France and a participant that’s due his flowers. 

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