[tebthereb]

As we are coming up to the halfway through the season, was wondering what people's best XI's would be from Ligue 1?

I have been reading good things about Lloris, Grosso, Planus, Squillaci, Ben Arfa, Elmander, Kallstrom, Benzema.

Are my sources awful ()and can people help me complete the team of the season so far...?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

That's not a bad one if we're basing it on ability. On form, though, Grosso and arguably Squillaci aren't deserving. I would say based on performance and not ability, the team should be:

Benzema - Elmander
Ben Arfa - Romaric - Toulalan - Feindouno
Wendel - Puygrenier - Basa - Chrétien
Lloris/Mandanda

[SportBoy333]

Originally Posted by SuperSebGrimaldi

That's not a bad one if we're basing it on ability. On form, though, Grosso and arguably Squillaci aren't deserving. I would say based on performance and not ability, the team should be:

Benzema - Elmander
Ben Arfa - Romaric - Toulalan - Feindouno
Wendel - Puygrenier - Basa - Chrétien
Lloris/Mandanda

Must put Bellion and de Melo on there somewhere if youre basing it on form over ability.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I don't know. Obviously no one's going to kick Benzema out of this best XI, and Bellion/de Melo have not meant as much to their club this season as Elmander has, since he basically is Toulouse. Besides, arguably Gervinho has been better than de Melo and Bellion isn't as hot now as he was earlier in the season.

Some glaring omissions on my part though have to include Juninho, Alou Diarra and Govou. Though I tried to keep the team as balanced as I could, as in, I didn't want it to be all-OL.

[SportBoy333]

If Bordeaux were mid table then I wouldnt put him on the team but they are doing well and that is a big factor for me. Find a spot for Elmander in midfield. Romaric ? Come on now, how many Le Mans matches have you actually seen ? Theres no way you could have watched and studied him enough for him to warrant a place on the team. Thats not as knock on you its just that Le Mans get like very little attention and exposure

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Dude, I'm basing this best XI off my glancing over every Sunday of L'Équipe and other magazines, nothing more. Based on that, Romaric's been the best player on Le Mans, which is actually something as they've been doing well.

Besides, I mean, wouldn't de Melo also be on Le Mans?

[tebthereb]

Cheers for the replies lads.

I have heard about Tulio, sounds pretty good but I think I have only seen him making headlines on account of his goalscoring. Romaric on the other hand I have heard little about, I guess this is because Le Mans is not one of the well covered teams as has been mentioned.

Heard a lot about Puygrenier and should have mentioned him. Hear he has a passing resemblance to Jaap Stam! I also heard that Planus is the best uncapped French centre half...?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Yeah, and Planus can be a right back as well, I think. Romaric's a defensive midfielder (though he does score goals), so he doesn't grab headlines though he's definitely done well. I mean, since we're not doing this only on ability, I think he deserves his spot. If we considered form and ability, I think that the team would be almost all-OL except the back line.

[NicolasN.]

Originally Posted by SuperSebGrimaldi

Yeah, and Planus can be a right back as well, I think. Romaric's a defensive midfielder (though he does score goals), so he doesn't grab headlines though he's definitely done well. I mean, since we're not doing this only on ability, I think he deserves his spot. If we considered form and ability, I think that the team would be almost all-OL except the back line.

Romaric used to be an offensive midfielder but since the past season he is playing as a defensive midfielder. Like 2 years ago, he had some troubles with Hantz because of his unprofesionnal behavior. He has also been seriously injured in a car crash in 2005. From this time he improved a lot. Paris was interested in him 1 year ago. It'll be a big loss for Le Mans when he will leave for the African Cup of Nations.

[Catel]

Romaric yeah maybe, but Juninho is back on the tracks since 3 months ! 6 goals, 5 assists ! And Feindouno did nothing for weeks. Wendel isn't a left back but a left midfielder or winger.

--------Benzema-De Melo
Ben Arfa-Juninho-Toulalan-Valbuena
Grosso-Puygrenier-Squillaci-Chrétien
-----------Mandanda

I love Supermander, too.