10 Promising Defensive Stars Rising in Ligue 1

Ligue 1, France’s top football league, has long been a breeding ground for young talent to grow and shine. With its focus on technical ability and tactical awareness, the league has produced some of the finest defenders in the world.

Among the current young defenders, ten promising players are making waves with their performances and potential: Caleb Wiley, Christian Mawissa, Nathan Zézé, Emmanuel Biumla, Malcokm Jeng, Mahamadou Nagida, Diego Moreira, Kassoum Ouattara, Mamadou Sarr, and Mikayil Faye.

These athletes are having a significant impact on their teams and are poised to shape the future of Ligue 1 and beyond.

1. Caleb Wiley

Caleb Wiley is a talented young soccer player recognized as one of the most promising talents in the United States. Primarily a wing-back or complete full-back, Wiley stands out for his remarkable acceleration, athleticism, and crossing ability.

His quick acceleration and recovery pace allow him to cover ground effectively, while his physical strength and stamina ensure he excels in contact situations. Additionally, his crossing ability and vision enable him to create goal-scoring opportunities.

However, Wiley has shown lapses in defensive decision-making and awareness, and he has room to improve his tactical understanding. Despite these areas for growth, his achievements speak volumes. He made his MLS debut in 2022, earned a call-up to the Senior United States Men’s National Team in 2023, and represented the United States at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Currently on loan to RC Strasbourg from Chelsea, Wiley aims to prove his ability to compete in European competitions and the Ligue 1 title race. His future looks incredibly bright.

2. Christian Mawissa

Christian Mawissa is a highly promising young defender in ligue 1 who has already made a significant impact at AS Monaco.

Standing at 1.84 meters, Mawissa is known for his physical presence, excellent positioning, and game-reading skills. Since joining Monaco in August 2024, he has quickly become a reliable figure in their defense.

Mawissa’s strengths lie in his ability to dominate aerial duels, make crucial tackles, and maintain defensive stability. His performances have earned him a spot in the France U21 national team, where he has made two appearances so far. According to Transfermarkt.com, with a market value of €12 million, Mawissa is considered one of the most valuable young defenders in Ligue 1.

As he continues to develop and gain more experience, Mawissa is expected to become a cornerstone of Monaco’s defense and a key player for the French national team in the future. His potential and current performance make him a player to watch in the coming years.

Read More: 10 Rising Defensive Talents Shining in the Bundesliga

3. Nathan Zézé

Nathan Zézé is a French professional footballer who plays as a center-back for FC Nantes in Ligue 1.

Standing tall and strong, Zézé is known for his excellent anticipation and placement, making him a formidable presence in defense. He is comfortable with both short and long passes, which allows him to contribute effectively to his team’s build-up play.

Strengths

• Good anticipation and placement
• Comfortable with short and long passes
• Strong and tall
• Good at winning aerial duels
• Good at scoring headers
• Good at ball interception

Weaknesses

• Weak at passing

Career

Zézé made his debut for the France U17 team in August 2021, followed by his debut for the France U18 team in September 2022.

In November 2024, he made his debut for the France U21 team, highlighting his rapid progression through the national team ranks. His defensive skills and potential make him a promising talent for both club and country.

4. Emmanuel Biumla

Emmanuel Biumla is a talented young French center-back who currently plays for Angers SCO in Ligue 1.

Born on May 8, 2005, Biumla stands at 185 cm (6 ft 0 in) and weighs 75 kg (165 lbs). As a right-footed player, he has shown great potential in his defensive abilities. Biumla’s current rating in FIFA 25 is 68, with a promising potential of 80.

His skills on the field include a defending rating of 65, interceptions at 63, heading accuracy at 58, defensive awareness at 64, standing tackle at 69, and sliding tackle at 63. These attributes highlight his strong defensive presence and ability to read the game effectively.

Biumla has also represented the France U20 international team, showcasing his talents on a larger stage. With continued development and experience, Emmanuel Biumla is poised to become a key player for both Angers SCO and the French national teams in the future.

5. Malcokm Jeng

Malcokm Jeng is an exciting young defender from Sweden who has already made a notable mark in European football. Born on March 9, 2005, he currently plays as a center-back for Stade de Reims in Ligue 1.

At 1.90 meters (6 ft 3 in) and weighing 75 kg (165 lbs), he is recognized for his strong physical presence and solid defensive skills. Jeng excels in his excellent positioning, powerful tackling, and ability to dominate aerial battles.

He has demonstrated good defensive awareness and a keen ability to read the game. His impressive performances have earned him a place on the Sweden U21 national team, showcasing his potential on the international scene.

With a market value of €1.50 million, Jeng is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Ligue 1. His swift development and consistent performances make him a player to keep an eye on in the years ahead. As he continues to gain experience and hone his skills, Jeng is set to become a vital player for both Reims and the Swedish national team.

Read More: 10 Rising Defensive Stars Making Waves in Serie A

6. Mahamadou Nagida

Mahamadou Nagida is a promising young talent in ligue 1, particularly as a left-back, with the potential to develop into a very good player. His recent transfer to Stade Rennais FC, a club known for nurturing young talent, is a significant step in his career.

At just 19 years old, Nagida has already shown great promise with his good pace, decent dribbling ability, strong defensive skills, and potential for attacking contributions down the flank.

Experts have taken notice of his abilities. Transfermarkt describes him as “a young defender with great potential, particularly in the attacking phase” while FotMob highlights his “speed and ability to get forward.” Although still relatively young and needing further experience to fully showcase his abilities at the highest level, Nagida’s future looks bright as he continues to develop at Stade Rennais FC.

7. Diego Moreira

Diego Moreira is a promising Portuguese footballer who currently plays for RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1, showcasing his versatility as both a left-back and a left-winger.

Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, Moreira is regarded as a technically gifted player with the ability to navigate past opponents with ease.

Skill Set

• Dribbling: Moreira’s standout skill, allowing him to consistently beat defenders.
• Counter-attacking: Known for his dynamic counter-attacking runs and powerful finishes.
• Technical skill: Recognized for his technical proficiency and ball control.

Playing Style

Moreira is left-footed, capable of playing on both sides of the attack. Recently, he has transitioned into a more defensive role as a left-back, adding another dimension to his game.

Career

Moreira joined Chelsea from Benfica in July 2023, making his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon. He later transferred permanently to RC Strasbourg, where he continues to develop and impress with his versatile skill set.

8. Kassoum Ouattara

Kassoum Ouattara is a promising young footballer who currently plays as a left-back for AS Monaco in Ligue 1.

Despite being in the early stages of his career, Ouattara has already shown significant potential. Known for his good dribbling ability, pace, and crossing accuracy, he has the skills to make valuable attacking contributions down the flank.

Strengths

• Good dribbling ability
• Pace
• Crossing accuracy
• Potential for attacking contributions

Areas to Improve

• Consistency in defensive positioning
• Aerial duels

Recent Performance

Ouattara has been gaining more playing time in Monaco’s squad, where he has displayed flashes of his potential. At just 19 years old, he is seen as a talented prospect with room for growth, especially considering his youth. As he continues to develop and gain experience, Kassoum Ouattara is expected to become a key player for AS Monaco and a notable figure in Ligue 1.

9. Mamadou Sarr

Mamadou Sarr is a highly promising young French defender who currently plays for RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

Born on August 29, 2005, Sarr stands at 1.94 meters (6 ft 4 in) and is known for his physical presence and defensive capabilities. His performances have already caught the attention of top clubs, with Chelsea reportedly close to signing him for a fee of €20 million.

Strengths

• Physical presence: His height and strength make him a formidable defender.
• Defensive capabilities: Sarr excels in reading the game and making crucial interceptions.
• Versatility: Capable of playing both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder.

Career Highlights

Sarr made his professional debut for Lyon in May 2023 and has since joined Strasbourg on loan. He has also represented France at various youth levels, including the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where he helped his team win the title in 2022.

With his potential and current trajectory, Mamadou Sarr is considered one of the most talented prospects of his generation and is expected to become a key player for a top European club in the future

10. Mikayil Faye

Mikayil Faye is a talented Senegalese defender currently playing for Barcelona Atletic. Known for his speed, explosiveness, and ball-playing skills, Faye has established himself as a versatile defender capable of playing both at center-back and left-back.

Strengths

• Ball-playing: Faye excels in short passes with high accuracy.
• Speed: His speed and explosiveness are key assets.
• Defending: A solid defender, adept in multiple positions.
• Offensive prowess: Faye shows potential in the final third of the field.

Weaknesses

• Discipline: He has been described as having weak discipline.

Recent Performance

In the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season, Faye appeared in nine games but didn’t score or assist. He received one yellow card and one red card.

Future Prospects

Faye has attracted interest from top European clubs. Although he was tipped to make his debut for Barcelona this season, it hasn’t happened yet. He may consider leaving the club in the summer transfer window.