After a good week for those enjoying the idea of Ligue 1 not being a one horse race, this weekend saw normal service resumed with PSG taking back the Leadership of Ligue 1. As the Parisien's were lamenting their recent loss to a struggling Nantes side the rest of the league and it's fans at least had hope. Hope of a more competitive league, something to play for and potentially different Champions. Since 2012/13 Monaco have been the only other team to win Ligue 1. Whilst the PSG teams have had much about them to admire, the lack of competition has killed a lot of the excitement in French football.
With last week's results showing Lille topping the table and Lyon competing on the same points tally as Paris, the excitement continued. Then yesterday Lille threw away their spot at the top of the table with a shock home loss to southern relegation scrappers Nimes. PSG then seized their chance by winning convincingly at Lyon, leaving things looking depressingly familiar. Does this prove then that Ligue 1 really is just the Farmer's League? The latter term has been used to describe the lack of competition and quality in what is deemed to be the worst of Europe's top Leagues.
Farmer's League might be a bit harsh as there is still a lot to enjoy in Ligue 1. Although the quality of football is not what it was in the 90's (the Bosman ruling and lack of money seeing an exodus of the best players to other leagues) French football is still a breeding ground for talent. It's exciting to watch the development of players like Yacine Adli, Eduardo Camavinga and Maxence Caqueret and see if they'll blossom like so many before them. Not that every potential star in the French league sets the world alight. Yoann Gourcuff never fulfilled his early promise. Once touted as "the next Zidane" he is a free agent at 34 without ever consistently performing. At the same age Hatem Ben Arfa has become a journeyman, achieving some success in Cup competitions but letting himself down by indiscipline. Looking further back the less said about Alex Nyarko's transfer from Lens to Everton the better. However the premise remains the same. A lot of top players are bred in Ligue 1. Matuidi, Coman, Pavard, Hazard and Umtiti are just a few household names who learnt their trade in Ligue 1 and went on to play for Europe's top sides. More recently Wesley Fofana has made the transition from Saint Etienne to the Premier League seamlessly at just 20 years old.
Kylian Mbappe also has youth on his side although he can hardly be described as having potential. He's already a World Cup winning star and will inevitably play for one of Europe's most elite clubs. Another 2 goals last night taking him to 36 goals this season so far in all competitions. Ligue 1 could do with a few more established stars to narrow the quality gap with the Premier League and la Liga. Paris have plenty but there is only a smattering shared between the other clubs, most of who are at the end of their careers (Payet, Fabregas). A better record in Europe would help the French clubs increase their stature. Again Paris aside, French Clubs performances in Europe have been poor in recent years. The quality of Ligue 1 defences haven't provided a stern enough test for performances to be up to scratch in European Competiton.
If the League could hold on to it's better players just a little longer than it does then it's domestic football could grow in quality. Too often are promising players, like Fofana, get picked up early by clubs in other Countries.
There are some big clubs in France. Saint Etienne has a rich history and fanatical support. Lyon have shown, at times, that they can compete in Europe, and attract good players. Marseille are not so much a sleeping Giant as a drunken, comatose Behemoth occasionally waking to show promise only to pass out again with a crash (this weekends thrashing at Nice a case in point). Huge potential though. These clubs in particular have quality stadiums that, when full, generate fervent atmospheres.
Return of the Farmer's League? Not yet. There is still plenty to admire in French Football. The relegation battle is yet to be decided (Dijon apart). Paris only lead Lille by goal difference meaning the title race is still very open. Let's hope it continues.
Great content and very informative view on French footy. Comparable with the Scottish league.
A good read. It gives context on the struggles and how finance can hamper competition but on the other hand it is vital to keep in touch with the rest of Europe. My view with limited knowledge on French footy! A salary cap would be a vehicle of creating a more competitive domestic competition but you would still lose talent to the big spenders. Financial dominance will never disappear. Teams have to be creative around their models - my view would be developing your own talent would be a huge focus and vital to succession planning. Finance is crucial to compete but there are way of bridging the gap through creative coaching and planning. It's tough and against the odd bu…
Could you provide a brief history of some of the clubs. Where do they get there funds from or are they self-financing?
Could you introduce a mini league table somewhere in the text, perhaps the team name, league position and number of points.