n8rngtd.topParis Saint-Germain ran out Ligue 1 winners for the second successive season, but there were impressive performers elsewhere
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Table of Contents
ToggleMike Maignan | Lille
Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan has enjoyed a standout season, which has been recognised by France coach Didier Deschamps, who has called him up for the June international fixtures.
The former PSG youth has proven to be highly reliable for Christophe Galtier’s side, showing the type of consistency that has him tipped to be Les Bleus’ No.1 on a long-term basis.
LOSC finished the season with the best defence in the league, conceding only 30 times, and they owe much to their shot-stopper, who has a particular speciality in saving penalties.
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Kenny Lala | Strasbourg
One of the revelations of the season in Ligue 1 this term, the Strasbourg full-back can count himself unlucky not to have been awarded a call up to the France side.
He was used primarily as a left-sided wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, which played to his offensive strengths. Over the course of the season, he scored five times and created nine more, finishing outright fourth for assists for all players in Ligue 1.
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Marquinhos | PSG
Paris Saint-Germain signed Marquinhos from Roma in 2013 with the expectation that he would grow into one of Europe’s best defensive players, and that has proven to be the case as he turned in another redoubtable season.
Not only did the Brazilian enjoy another solid campaign in the heart of the rearguard at Parc des Princes, he was used by Thomas Tuchel as a defensive midfielder and grew impressively into that role, too.
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Thiago Silva | PSG
Will turn 35 in September, but the former AC Milan man is just as classy as ever.
A rock-steady performer in the heart of the PSG defence, it is unusual to see him make an error, particularly at Ligue 1 level. No-one in the league who made at least 1000 passes had a higher completion rate.
He is currently fighting a race against time to be fit for Brazil’s Copa America campaign, which might be the last chance he has to participate in a major tournament.
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