Playerwatch 2005: France

By Matthew Spiro

Experts are often heard saying that football, today more than ever, is a young man's game. That certainly seems to be the case in France where Olympique Lyonnais have been brushing Ligue 1 opponents aside with impressive regularity, despite possessing one of the youngest squads in the country.

Young Lyon
Lyon coach Paul Le Guen, aged just 40 himself, can count on a handful of experienced players such as Grégory Coupet, Juninho Pernambucano and Sylvain Wiltord, but it is the emergence of the young guns that has been the key behind the club’s recent success.

Brilliant year
In 2003/04, Le Guen's emerging team overturned a ten-point deficit on AS Monaco FC to clinch their third consecutive title before, this season, embarking on an unbeaten run of 15 league matches and qualifying from their UEFA Champions League group with ease.

Ghanaian giant
Among the youngsters to have established themselves at Lyon is Ghanaian midfield player Michael Essien. The 22-year-old signed from SC Bastia in the summer of 2003, and after making a solid if unspectacular start he has been a colossus in midfield this season. "Michael is the most physically commanding player I have ever come across," said Sidney Govou, even taking into account his France team-mate Patrick Vieira.

Malouda magic
Left-winger Florent Malouda has also been a revelation and was rewarded with his first France cap in the recent friendly against Poland. The 24-year-old formed a devastating partnership with Didier Drogba at EA Guingamp in 2002/03 and has continued to impress at Lyon, where his pace, trickery and intelligent distribution have seen him become a key attacking weapon.

Abidal arrival
Le Guen's summer signings confirmed his inclination towards youth, with the arrival of 25-year-old defender Eric Abidal from LOSC Lille Métropole a good example. Abidal was one of a handful of players to quit Lille in the summer, but Claude Puel has rebuilt intelligently. Last season Stathis Tavlaridis, on loan from Arsenal FC, formed a superb central defensive partnership with Abidal and after signing a permanent deal in the summer, the commanding Greek stopper has continued to excel.

Meriem shines
An attacking player making his mark is Camel Meriem. The 25-year-old was inspirational in Olympique de Marseille’s run to the UEFA Cup final, most notably scoring a terrific solo goal in the 1-0 win over FC Internazionale Milano at the San Siro, and his form has continued since his summer return to FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Now playing regularly in his preferred central role, Meriem is another to have broken into the France squad this season.

Monaco hailed
For many French fans, however, 2004 will be remembered as Monaco's year, even though the club failed to win a trophy after losing to FC Porto in the Champions League final and being overtaken by Lyon in the French title race.

Defensive trio
While the attacking sector of the team changed dramatically in the summer the defence has remained constant, with Gaël Givet, Sébastien Squillaci and Patrice Evra emerging as three of the finest young defenders in France. The trio are already regulars in the French national team and, with an average age of just 23, look set to be so for some time to come.