15th round prospects performances… Top 3/ Flop 3

By: Evilo | November 24th, 2008

Here’s a roundup of the main U22 performers from this 15th round of L1 action :

Lyon’s Hugo Lloris (L’Equipe’s rating : 5) couldn’t do much on Giuly’s goal, and didn’t have much of anything else to do. His teammates Gassama (E : 4) was responsible for Giuly’s goal and hyped LB Kolo (E : 4) had a tough few minutes, fouling way too much, deserving of a red card and a penalty in different occasions. Benzema didn’t create much danger except for a good shot saved by Landreau.

St Etienne lost once again, and Mirallas (4) didn’t do much. I liked what I saw from Benalouane though (5).

In Lorient, speedy Kévin Gameiro (6) once again scored a key goal (4th of the season, with 5 assists too), and Toulouse’s E. Capoue had a good game (6). M’Bengue (4) had a tough game.

Gourcuff (6) lead Bordeaux to a tie game, as I expected, against Rennes. M’Bia and Lemoine (both 6) bossed the midfield, as expected.

In Valenciennes, Erding (6) scored another goal after a huge mistake by VA while Jokic and Carlao (both 5) had decent games for Sochaux. For VA, I liked what I saw from Sanchez (6) after he had to play CB.

In Grenoble, Feghouli (4) didn’t have his best game but he always tries to play one touch football and if only his teammates could do the same, he would be more effective. He’s going to be a good one. For Le Havre, Nestor (5) had a solid game except for one mistake. He has played all 4 defenseman spots so far, all with ease. At age 18, that’s not common. Another great prospect.

For OM, Ben Arfa (5) had an average game, but was great defended by what is arguably the second best midfield in L1 (Cabaye, Mavuba and Balmont). Kaboré (4) didn’t show much. Cabaye (7) who had another great game. Think Cesc Fabregas in terms of skills and game. Eden Hazard (6) continued his strong showing yesterday, and at 17, he’s turning into a monster.

For Nantes, Ricardo Faty (4) played out of position and it showed.

In Monaco, Le Mans’ fantastic Gervinho (3) was invisible. Out of character.

U22 scoring race :
1- Benzema 9
T2- Ben Arfa, Rémy 6
4- Erding 5
T5- Gervinho, Nimani, Gameiro 4

U22 passing race :
1- Gameiro 5
2- Gourcuff 4
T3- Feghouli, Coutadeur, Ben Arfa 3

Top 3 :
1- Yohan Cabaye : dominant, that’s how good he can be.
2- Kévin Gameiro : game winning goal yet again.
T3- M’Bia/Lemoine : they are doing a great job in Rennes’ midfield.

Flop 3 :
1- Benzema : you have to expect more from him.
2- Gervinho : he must take the game on his back. He has the talent to.
3- Mirallas : Kolo had a worst game, but I have to take this opportunity to make fun of Kévin Mirallas’ intellect. Here we have a guy on a strong team (Lille) getting some playing time and making the most of it at the end of last year, someone who would have been the sure fire starter this year in an L1 team that was playing the european spots, and instead, he chooses to force a move to St Etienne, where the forward depth includes Gomis, Gigliotti, Grax, Payet or Ilan, where the coach likes to play with only 1 striker and where the coach and the presidents are imbeciles. End result? BAD BAD career move Kévin.