Ligue 1 looks to be going the usual PSG dominance this season, with the defending champions leading the championship by 10 points, with two games in hand. So, we may know where the league title is heading, but there have been some interesting stories from the French top-flight.
Lille, who flirted with relegation last season, have come back fighting and are second in the division, with the inconsistent Lyon the other side likely to finish in the Champions League places. The race for the Europa League spot involving Saint-Etienne, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Marseille, Remis, Nice and Rennes who are all separated by four points between fourth and tenth.
Perhaps the main talking point from the season so far has been Monaco’s difficult season, firing Leandro Jardim, then Thierry Henry before reinstating Jardim as manager. The Monegasque club have only just picked up their first home win of the season and find themselves in the relegation zone.
So, who has performed from France in the first half of the season? A whole host of players will receive upgrades in the Ratings Refresh on FIFA 19 Ultimate Team, and RealSport looks at which men are in line for a boost.
Nicolas Pepe (OVR 75 → 82)
The surprise package of Ligue 1 this season has been Lille right winger Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian international has netted 16 league goals, making him the joint-second highest goalscorer in the division, which has helped fire Lille into second place and well on course for a Champions League spot.
Pepe’s 75 overall should rise to around 82 in the Ratings Refresh. The 23-year-old is priced at 1,700 coins on PS4 and 2,000 on Xbox One, with his 86 third in-form card worth 1,700 coins on PS4 and 2,000 on Xbox One. A new 87 Headliners card will set you back 115,000 on both consoles.
Tanguy Ndombele (OVR 78 → 81)
Manchester City are rumoured to be in the hunt for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, with the 22-year-old emerging as yet another French talent. He has made 31 appearances this season with five assists and two goals and went on to make his France debut in October.
Ndombele’s 78 overall should rise to around 81 in the Ratings Refresh, with his base card currently worth 950 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on Xbox One. A 79 Champions League item will set you back 7,400 on PS4 and 8,700 on Xbox One.
Ferland Mendy (OVR 77 → 80)
Sticking with Lyon, Ferland Mendy also made his France debut this season. The left back’s electrifying pace has made him a mainstay in the OL side, with 30 appearances, three goals and three assists. With few world class left backs in world football, Mendy could be on the radar of many clubs next summer.
Mendy’s 77 should rise to 80 on Ultimate Team, with his base card costing 1,000 coins on both consoles. A 78 Champions League item costs 7,400 coins on PS4 and 9,400 on Xbox One, with an 87 Future Stars card setting you back 309,000 on PS4 and 298,000 on Xbox One.
Kenny Lala (OVR 76 → 80)
Kenny Lala’s has been a surprise package in Ligue 1 this season with the right back charging forward for Strasbourg to pick up four goals and eight assists in all competitions this season. He has helped the club into sixth place, a very good showing for a side who only promotion to the top flight in 2017.
Lala’s 76 overall deserves to improve to 80 on FIFA 19, with the Frenchman’s base card priced at 1,700 coins on PS4 and 2,700 on Xbox One. An 86 third in-form card at right wing back costs 180,000 on PS4 and 158,000 on Xbox One and an 87 RWB Headliners card has a value of 328,000 on PS4 and 301,000 on Xbox One.
Moussa Dembele (OVR 75 → 77)
It was a big test for Moussa Dembele when he moved from Celtic to Lyon in the summer, but the 22-year-old has delivered. The striker has scored 12 goals in 29 games for his new club and is yet another young French star who is destined for great things. He started just one Champions League game however, and he may be called upon when they meet Barcelona in the knockout stages.
Dembele’s 75 overall could rise to 77 or more in the Ratings Refresh, with the forward costing 900 coins on both consoles. A 76 Champions League item is worth 3,000 coins on PS4 and 4,600 on Xbox One, with an 81 in-form card just hitting the market. His 81 Ones to Watch card will set you back 25,750 on PS4 and 25,250 on Xbox One.
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