Football Wonderkid Scout

 Lyon and France U21 Star Gonalons

level. Of the current Under-21 defenders hoping to make their name are Sebastian Corchia and Eliaquim Mangala. Corchia is hailed as one of the most promising defenders in France and is a right-back who can also operate as a wing-back. A French youth international from a young age, he currently plays for Le Mans who were relegated from Ligue 1 and a number of suitors are ready to make their move. Mangala is a defender currently playing for Standard Liege in Belgium and has already won four caps at U21 level at just 19 years of age. He confirmed his rising reputation with an impressive performance against Arsenal in September 2009, catching the eye of coach Arsene Wenger. Other promising defenders hoping to make the grade are Lyon's U19 starlets Sébastien Faure and Timothée Kolodziejczak.

In midfield, France appear to have a wealth of talent waiting in the wings, including Frank Tabanou who is a left-sided attacking midfielder, currently one of Ligue One's hottest properties. A product of the famous Le Harve academy system, the 21 year-old is currently being watched by a number of European clubs. West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint Germain are all known to be keeping tabs on him. Highly versatile he can also operate at full-back. Having began his career at Toulouse in 2006, he was promoted to the first team in 2009 and made his debut on 2 May 2009 against Marseille in the Ligue 1. During the 2009/10 season, Tabanou became a regular in the side and has scored 4 goals in 30 appearances. Tabanou has pace, good range of passing and an eye for goal. Rennes’ 20-year-old midfielder Yacine Brahimi is another midfielder attracting a lot of attention with Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United fighting for his signature. The French youth international of Algerian descent, who can play wide or behind the frontmen, has been tracked by Arsene Wenger since he progressed through the famous Clairefontaine Academy. 19-year old French winger Antoine Griezmann may not be a household name yet but he is already well known among managers and scouts across Europe. The immensely talented player was instrumental in helping lead Real Sociedad back to the top flight in his first full season as a professional. Extremely fast and excellent dribbling skills, Griezmann was regularly terrorising defenders in the Segunda division last year. Scoring 6 goals in 30 appearances, the French starlet has great technique and a fine all round game in which he can dribble, pass, shoot and cross the ball.

Hoping to make their breakthrough at Lyon are midfielders Clément Grenie and Maxime Gonalons. The France youth international who has been capped by to Under-19 level is known for his technical ability, dribbling, and free-kick taking. Grenier can play on the right side of midfield, as well as in the attacking midfield position just behind the striker. Gonalons is a current French Under-21 defensive midfielder who is beginning to make his name in the first team at the French outift. His tall and aggressive style means that he is equally comfortable at centre-back, where he played and scored against Liverpool last season in the Champions League. Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi has recommended him to Arsene Wenger as a potential signing in the future. At the Uefa Under-19 European Championships Francis Smerecki's young French squad confirmed their promising future as the went on to to defeat Spain in the final to win the title. Of the many stars packed throughout the side, one of the tournament's stand out players was Chelsea starlet Gael Kakuta. The rising star lived up to his burgeoning reputation, with a series of dribbles turning heads, and displayed his finishing skills at crucial times against the Netherlands and Croatia. He was one of only four France players to start every match of the tournament and set up the winning goal in the final for Alexandre Lacazette.

At the Uefa Under-17 European Championship and reaching the semi-final was a very talented France team, inspired by players like Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Stade Rennais FC's Abdoulaye Doucouré. Pogba who was signed from French club Le Harve is rated as one of France's brightest prospects and was also wanted by Arsenal. A tall, powerful and commanding player, he has been likened to Patrick Vieira. Up front, France's Yaya Sanogo looks an exciting prospect and scored two goals in four games. Up front France hold hopes in Yannis Tafer. Described as the next Karim Benzema, the young striker of Algerian descent emerged from the youth ranks at Olympique Lyonnais. He first came to attention after impressing at the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championships, held in Turkey. It was here when Lyon trio Clement Grenier, Yannis Tafer and Alexandre Lacazette helped France finish runners-up. Tafer was awarded the Golden Shoe after finishing the tournament as top scorer with 4 goals. He has also represented France at Under-18 level, scoring 7 goals in 8 games, including two impressive hat-tricks. In August, Lyon announced they had loaned out Tafer to Toulouse for the entire 2010–11 season and has a buyout option for €4 million. There is also club colleague Jérémy Pied who is a 19 year-old winger currently playing for Lyon but was farmed out to Metz last season on loan in order to gain more first team experience.