Jonathan David has reached another personal milestone as the UNFP Player of the Month, awarded to the best player in French football, for the first time in his career. Strangely enough, this accolade is for November, during which the Canadian striker scored just once across three Ligue 1 games. Yet, during the same month, he netted against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League and assisted for Canada during the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Suriname. While these achievements don’t count toward the Player of the Month award, David's consistency has shone through. The award winner is determined by a mix of online public voting and votes from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players, each contributing 50% to the final decision. This award marks David’s first personal monthly honor since moving to France four-and-a-half years ago.
Continuing his scoring spree, David's performances to date position him as the frontrunner to earn back-to-back honors. The 24-year-old has already made waves with four goals and one assist from three league matches this month, buoyed by impressive braces against Montpellier and Brest, the latter marking his 100th and 101st career eclipsed at Lille. With 17 goals across 25 games this season, he tops the Ligue 1 Golden Boot rankings with 11 goals. His contributions to Lille are astronomical, highlighted by 26 direct goal contributions (20 goals and six assists) over all competitions for club and country.
David's importance to Lille cannot be overstated. Lille president Olivier Létang has already ruled out selling him for less amid transfer speculation as the club looks to secure their position for Champions League qualification. With David’s contract expiring next summer, it appears Lille is making every effort to ride his coattails until the end.
Alongside David's recent honors, Ligue 1’s season has seen the rise of competitive teams like Marseille and Lyon attempting to challenge PSG's dominance. Recently, Jonathan David and Rayan Cherki of Lyon were named among the standout performers of the season so far, reflecting the extensive talent across the league. This recognition adds to the growing excitement surrounding this Ligue 1 season.
FootballTransfers released its Team of the Season so far, featuring players who have been exceptional this season, including key names associated with Ligue 1's top clubs. PSG continues its reign as the dominant force, represented by no fewer than four players on the list. The lineup, favoring a 4-2-3-1 formation, showcases talent and tactical flexibility.
Among them is Lucas Chevalier from Lille, who has emerged as one of the best young goalkeepers globally and played pivotal roles during both Ligue 1 and Champions League matches. PSG's Achraf Hakimi stands out as one of the best players this season, providing flair and attacking prowess down the right. Other notable inclusions are Wilfried Singo from Monaco, who has been pivotal defensively for his club, and Willian Pacho, another solid addition for PSG providing reliable cover.
Nicolas Tagliafico from Lyon is noted for his steady performances at left-back, delivering consistency where others have faltered. A strong addition from Benfica, Joao Neves has adapted remarkably well to PSG, providing not just fluid movement but scoring and assisting as well. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has impressed during his loan stint with Marseille, showcasing resilience through the chaos of the team’s transitional phase.
Notably, Rayan Cherki has reemerged after early-season contract disputes, now displaying brilliance reminiscent of past football eras, scoring and assisting with remarkable skill. Elisse Ben Seghir from Monaco is another highlight, returning from injury to become one of his team's creative sparks, notching four goals and three assists and showcasing boundless potential.
Bradley Barcola is on PSG's roster of standout performances this season, taking up the mantle as the club's leading offensive threat following Kylian Mbappe's absence. He has successfully found the back of the net 10 times, cementing his place as one to watch as the season progresses.
Not to be overlooked is David's presence again as he ranks as Ligue 1's top scorer. Having proven his capability not just domestically but also with impactful performances against major European clubs like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, there’s no argument against his overall contribution being the best among Ligue 1 forwards.
With the latest accolades and selections, it looks like David's remarkable form is here to stay, making it evident why he is attracting attention not just from fans but also from potential suitors planning to secure his services before the summer transfer window opens. The future seems bright not just for David but for the entire league as it continues to witness fierce competition and talented players rise to the occasion.
