Ligue 1 Team of the Month: Paris Saint-Germain dominate the XI
Here we run through the first best rated monthly XI of 2019 in Ligue 1
Goalkeeper: Bobby Allain (Dijon) - 7.96 rating
Dijon have made a mixed start to 2019 but did at least end January with a victory over strugglers Monaco. Few can claim to have played particularly well for Dijon over the course of the last month apart from goalkeeper Bobby Allain. From his three appearances, he made 15 saves - only four fewer than the leader, who played an extra game. Not only that, but the 27-year-old commanded his box well. The Dijon ace successfully claimed more crosses than any other goalkeeper in Ligue 1 last month (7).
Right-back: Youcef Atal (Nice) - 7.45 rating
January was a good month to Nice youngster Youcef Atal, who turned in a WhoScored Man of the Match performance against Monaco and finished the month with a goal against Nimes. Atal completed 16 tackles and interceptions combined across his four league appearances, while also completing 13 dribbles. The 22-year-old has been hugely impressive for Nice this season and Patrick Vieira’s side may struggle to keep hold of him at the end of the season.
Centre-back: Marcelo (Lyon) - 7.72 rating
Lyon extended their unbeaten run to six matches over January, with centre-back Marcelo playing a key part for the French outfit last month. Only two players won more aerial duels than the 31-year-old in Ligue 1 last month (24), consistently winning eight in each of his three appearances. Marcelo also chipped in with 15 tackles and interceptions combined and 13 clearances.
Centre-back: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.61 rating
Marquinhos scored his second league goal of the campaign last month and only misplaced 12 of the 189 passes he attempted across his three appearances for Paris Saint-Germain. Two of Marquinhos’ appearances were at centre-backs and PSG didn’t concede a goal in that time. Their aggregate scoreline in those matches was 12-0.
Left-back: Vincent Manceau (Angers) - 7.30 rating
Angers made a relatively disappointing start to 2019 but Vincent Manceau can be pleased with his level of performances. Only one player made more tackles than the 29-year-old in Ligue 1 last month (18). Manceau was part of an Angers defence that kept three clean sheets in four appearances and he made 12 clearances in that time to help alleviate any danger.
Right midfield: Nicolas Pepe (Lille) - 7.98 rating
Lille managed to retain Nicolas Pepe’s services last month and that will boost their chances of grabbing a second-place finish this season. The 23-year-old played a direct hand in five goals in three league games last month (three goals, two assists) and won the WhoScored Man of the Match award on two occasions. He was one of only two players that registered multiple accurate through balls in Ligue 1 in January.
Central midfield: Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.51 rating
Julian Draxler has been something of an unsung hero for Paris Saint-Germain in the last few months. The Germany international has developed into a key player under Thomas Tuchel and performed brilliantly over the month of January. The 25-year-old provided two assists in three league games last month, while winning possession in the attacking third at least five more times than any other player (10).
Central midfield: Teji Savanier (Nimes) - 7.76 rating
January was another hugely impressive month for unknown Nimes star Teji Savanier. The 27-year-old, who was linked with a move to Turkey in the January transfer window, created the most goalscoring chances from set-pieces (10), while only three players won possession in the middle third more times than the 27-year-old (23). Furthermore, only one player was fouled more times than Savanier in Ligue 1 last month (12).
Left midfield: Allan Saint-Maximin (Nice) - 7.69 rating
Allan Saint-Maximin scored in three of Nice’s four league matches in January to earn a spot in our best rated XI on the left of midfield. His goals were worth three additional points to Patrick Vieira’s side, helping them up to seventh in the table. Furthermore, only Hatem Ben Arfa completed more dribbles than Saint-Maximin of all players in Ligue 1 last month (20).
Striker: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.88 rating
Edinson Cavani has been in electric form for Paris Saint-Germain this season and was directly involved in more goals and assists than any other player in Ligue 1 last month (9). He both scored the most goals (six) and registered the most assists (3), while no player had more touches of the ball in the opposition penalty area than the Uruguay international (25). He marginally edged team-mate Kylian Mbappe as our WhoScored player of the month in Ligue 1 last month.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.88 rating
Even more will now be asked of Kylian Mbappe in the wake of Neymar’s long-term ankle injury but the 20-year-old certainly looks up for it. Mbappe’s hat-trick against Guingamp was sandwiched between a goal away to Amiens and a goal and an assist performance at home to Rennes to close the month. The PSG No.7 has played a direct hand in 24 goals in 15 league games this season and only just missed out on the player of the month award in Ligue 1 to Cavani.
