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This list does not include players who have made their debuts for the National Team (i.e. Mexes, Cisse) nor does it include Florent Sinama Pongolle or Anthony Le Tallec. Enough has been written about them already.
1.
Name: Mourad Meghni
Club: Bologna (Ita)
Age: 18 (16/04/1984)
Comments: Fabulous player in the making. I watched Bologna vs AC MIlan at the weekend, and could not believe the lanky guy in silver boots with the golden touch was only 18! Has a very smooth touch and quick feet, is no suprise that he is often compared to Zinedine Zidane. Looked really at home in the San Siro, and was Bologna's best player. Took his goal well (his second of the season) and got rave reviews in the Italian Press. Will not be at Bologna for longer than about two years. Obviously he has a very long way to go: he still looked frail, and I'm not sure if he has much pace: he didn't carry the ball very often. But very promising. A future France 10.
2.
Name: Jimmy Briand
Club: Rennes (Fra)
Age: 17 (02/08/1985)
Comments: Explosive striker, yet another in the mould of Cisse / Henry. Personally he reminds me of Anelka: sharp technician very very quick and more of a true number 9 than Henry. Top scorer (and best player) for the France U18. Forget the likes of the overhyped Aliadiere; this guy is the real deal, the next great striker to emerge after Cisse. Currently at Rennes, expect him to move if Rennes are relegated.
3.
Name: Hatem Ben Arfa
Club: Lyon (Fra)
Age: 16 (07/03/1987)
Comments: There was so much hype in the French papers last year when this young left footed prodigy signed for Lyon, because he was paid so much at such a young age, his story was all over the papers, not just in the sport section. He is the type of striker that France do not really produce often: the deep lying second striker a la Gianfranco Zola or Dennis Bergkamp. Still has to mature, but was recently one of the players of the tournament while playing for France U16 in the Montagiu tournament: finished as top scorer with 6 goals, even though France were beaten 5-1in the final by Italy.
4.
Name: Chouki Ben Saada
Club: Bastia (Fra)
Age: 18 (01/07/1984)
Comments: Livewire little striker playing for Bastia who had a real purple patch midway through the season. Lost a bit of form after that, but is still a top talent: tricky runner who scores goals as well.
5.
Name: Sebastien Grax
Club: Monaco (Fra)
Age: 18 (23/06/1984)
Comments: Monaco goal getter, was used sparingly by Didier Deschamps this season but continues to bang in the goals for France U19, and is highly-rated by all watchers of the game. Look out for this guy at the European tournament in Lichenstein.
6.
Name: Samir Nasri
Club: Marseille (Fra)
Age: 16
Comments: Brilliant goalscoring playmaker, making waves in the France U16 team, and at Marseille, where the youth coach reckons he is the best youngster Marseille have produced for a while. His coach with the French team, Francois Blaquart, expects him to make the jump from France U16 to U18 next season. Some say he may start training with the Marseille first team, as early as next season.
7.
Name: Guillaume Plessis
Club: RC Lens (Fra)
Age: 17 (16/01/1985)
Comments: Very similiar in style to Stephane Dalmat of Inter. A young talent at RC Lens who combines destructive midfield play with playmaking abilities: like Dalmat or Edgar Davids. Currently at Lens, the word on the street is that his contract expires in 2004 and Arsenal have struck a "gentleman's agreement".
8.
Name: Carl Medjani
Club: St Etienne (Fra)
Age: 18 (15/05/1985)
Comments: Captain of France U18, this tall, elegant central defender will leave St Etienne in the summer to any number of clubs. There have been rumours of Manchester United or Arsenal, but he will stay in France. Expect to see him wearing Lyon or Marseille colours next season.
9.
Name: David Bellion
Club: Sunderland (Eng)
Age: 20 (27/11/1982)
Comments: A raw talent, soon to sign for Manchester United. Came to Sunderland from Cannes, and will leave Sunderland when his contract expires this summer. Attracted interest from Liverpool and Newcastle, but will move to Man Utd if the fee set by a tribunal is not too high. Great pace and very good dribbling skills, it remains to be seen if Alex Ferguson can turn him into an all round attacker.
10.
Name: Florent Chaigneau
Club: Rennes (Fra)
Age: 19
Comments: A tall rangy 'keeper set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nicolas Pennetau or Sebastian Frey. Good shot stopper and commanding in the air, came to prominence in th U16 European Championship of 2001, and then in the U17 World Cup that year (which France won). Has the potential to become a top goalkeeper for club and country.
Kryptic
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