On the Radar: Ligue 2 Players to Watch in 2026/27

Scouts from all over the world are fascinated by French football. The country has a reputation for producing technically gifted, tactically adaptable players. The academies of Ligue 1 clubs have become a regular point of reference for those looking to identify the next generation of talent. While the top flight naturally attracts plenty of attention, there's an abundance of talent across every level of football in France.

Ligue 2 offers an interesting window into that wider talent pool. The French second tier often brings together young players looking to establish themselves in senior football and players seeking to take the next step in their careers. While Ligue 2 is often viewed as a stepping stone to the top flight and beyond, its clubs have their own ambitions, whether that means competing for promotion or building towards longer-term goals.

With that in mind, I’ve used per-90 data to identify some of the standout players so far this season. The aim here isn't to produce a definitive ranking of the division’s best prospects, but to highlight a selection of profiles that the early-season data suggests are worth following more closely. From those who stand out for their work in possession to those making an impression in the final third or defensively, each offers a different reason to take notice.

Esteban Mouton - Laval

Our first player is Esteban Mouton. The right-back is an interesting profile to watch at Laval, particularly given the club’s difficult start to the season. Sitting bottom of Ligue 2 after nine matches, the team have struggled for results, but Mouton’s underlying numbers are eye-catching, particularly in possession.

The 23-year-old is averaging 13.59 progressive passes per 90, which doesn't just place him as the best-performing full-back in this metric; he's actually the best-performing player across all positions in the dataset. His 3.70 progressive runs per 90 are equally impressive. Together, these numbers point to an attack-minded right-back who looks to advance the ball through both passing and carrying.

His 68.18% successful dribble rate places him around the 45th percentile, suggesting that his willingness to take on opponents does not always translate into successful outcomes. We also have to remember that, with 755 minutes played, the sample is still relatively limited.

Nevertheless, his combination of progressive passing, forward running and dribbling volume makes him a compelling player to monitor. If Laval can turn their performances around, Mouton’s ability to move the ball upfield could prove to be an important asset.

Yaya Fofana - Reims

Yaya Fofana is an attacking midfielder who seems to have the ability to arrive in the right place at the right time. The 22-year-old has scored six goals in 786 minutes for Reims, making him one of the more eye-catching attacking profiles in the division. He's not just getting on the scoresheet either as his 0.45 xG per 90 suggests he's regularly finding promising positions, while 2.63 shots per 90 shows he's willing to pull the trigger.

What makes Fofana interesting is his appetite for getting into the box. Nicolas Usaï has mostly deployed Fofana as the attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system which certainly seems to be getting the best out of the former Lens player.

Averaging 3.55 box touches and 1.72 progressive runs per 90, he looks like a midfielder who wants to arrive in dangerous areas rather than dictate play from a deeper position. There is a slight caveat to the goalscoring numbers, as his six goals have come from 3.91 expected goals, so he has been finishing at a rate that may be difficult to maintain in the future.

Still, there's plenty to like. The Reims man has shown he can make things happen in the final third, and his September form brought four goals in three matches and Ligue 2’s player of the month award.

Ilyes Housni - AS Nancy

Ilyes Housni is an exciting attacking option at Nancy. The 21-year-old is a versatile forward who primarily lines up on the right wing, but can also be utilised across the front line or as a number ten.

The 21-year-old averages 1.86 key passes and 3.40 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, suggesting he's consistently looking for ways to unlock a defence. His 1.96 shot assists show how frequently his passing helps create opportunities for teammates. Housni appears capable of influencing attacks through his vision and decision-making in the final third rather than relying on individual ball carrying.

It's also worth noting the gap between his 0.36 xA per 90 and 0.21 assists per 90. This suggests that the former PSG player is creating opportunities that are not always being converted by his teammates, meaning his assist tally may not fully reflect his contribution in the final third. Expected assists are not a perfect measure of the quality of every pass, but they allow us to see the goalscoring opportunities he is creating for those around him.

Housni’s appeal lies in the options he gives Nancy in attack. Whether deployed out wide or more centrally, he has the passing range to link play and bring teammates into the game. How Oswald Tanchot decides to use him as the season develops will be worth watching. For now, though, Ilyes Housni is thriving at Nancy and looks like a player to keep an eye on.

Believe Munongo - FC Metz

At just 16, Believe Munongo is already getting plenty of first-team opportunities at Metz. The France U17 international made his senior debut last season and went on to play nearly 500 minutes in Ligue 1, although he couldn’t help Metz avoid relegation. He has continued to feature this season, clocking up 554 minutes in Ligue 2 so far. There are some encouraging signs in his numbers, especially when it comes to winning the ball back and dealing with the physical side of the game.

Munongo wins 55.26% of his defensive duels, while his aerial numbers are even more impressive, with a success rate of 63.64%. He also averages 4.41 possession-adjusted interceptions per 90, suggesting he is already showing an ability to disrupt opposition attacks.

His progressive passing numbers are more modest, but that's not a concern given his minutes and the role he plays. As more of a sitter, his job is to win possession back, keep things ticking over and help Metz maintain control in midfield, rather than constantly look to force the ball forward.

Of course, it's still early days, but getting senior minutes at 16 is exciting in itself. Munongo is one to keep an eye on as he continues to develop in Ligue 2.

Elyaz Zidane - Red Star FC

Elyaz Zidane is making his own steps in senior football at Red Star. The 20-year-old son of Zinedine Zidane joined from Real Betis this summer and has already featured regularly in Ligue 2. Standing at around 194 cm and being naturally left-footed, he has a useful profile for a centre back.

For added context on the numbers, it's worth saying that Zidane has primarily been utilised as a left-sided centre back in a 4-2-3-1 system. His defensive numbers have been encouraging so far. He currently averages 8.32 possession-adjusted interceptions per 90, putting him in the 75th percentile among positional peers, and wins 70.21% of his aerial duels. He is also active in defensive duels, averaging 5.90 per 90, suggesting he is willing to step in and get involved rather than simply sit back.

There is room for improvement in his defensive duel success rate, which currently sits at 53.06%, but his numbers on the ball offer some encouragement too. His progressive passing stands out among his positional peers, suggesting he can help Red Star move play forward from the back rather than just keep possession ticking over.

The family name will always draw attention, but at 20, he is building his own experience in Ligue 2. It will be worth following how he develops as he gets more minutes under his belt.

Pape Moussa Fall - FC Metz

Back to Metz we go! Pape Moussa Fall is the latest player on our list from the French club, and the 22-year-old striker certainly gives us something different to look at. With seven goals to his name so far this season, Fall has been making the most of his minutes.

He is currently averaging 0.79 goals per 90 from 0.81 expected goals per 90, which is a very impressive conversion rate. At 203 cm he's also a real handful in the air, winning 60.49% of his aerial duels from an average of 9.15 per 90. For a striker who can lead the line and give his team an option to play forward, those numbers make for good reading.

His 4.63 touches in the box per 90 also show that he is getting involved in dangerous areas, and the combination of his aerial presence and goalscoring output gives Metz a real goal threat up top. There's plenty to like about Fall’s profile, particularly if he can maintain this level of output as the season progresses.

Jakob Breum - Saint-Étienne

Jakob Breum of Saint-Étienne is our next player who is worth a closer look, and he has certainly made an impact in limited minutes. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has registered five assists in just 541 minutes, an impressive return that puts him among the standout creators in Ligue 2 so far.

His numbers back that up, too. Breum averages 1.66 key passes per 90, and 0.32 expected assists per 90, supporting his credentials as one of the best chance creators in the league. His numbers suggest he is capable of finding openings that others might miss. With 5.49 passes into the final third per 90, he's also helping move attacks forward as well as providing that final ball.

The obvious question is how sustainable that output will be over a larger sample, particularly given his five assists in relatively few minutes.

There is plenty to like about a player who has made such an immediate impact. If Breum can maintain that creative influence as his minutes increase, he could be one of the players of the season for Saint-Étienne.

Mohamed Koné - FC Annecy

Mohamed Koné is another one for the future. At just 19, the Annecy midfielder has already shown some promising signs, with his numbers suggesting he could become an important presence in the middle of the park. Operating as a right-sided central midfielder, Koné has a good balance between his defensive work and his ability to get forward.

His defensive numbers are where he really catches the eye. He currently averages 7.96 defensive duels per 90, and perhaps most importantly, wins 61.02% of those duels. He also averages 1.48 progressive runs per 90 showing that he's not afraid to carry the ball forward when the opportunity is there.

As with any young player, there's room to develop, with his 0.07 xG per 90 suggesting goals are not a major part of his contribution just yet. His 0.09 xA per 90 also points to a more modest creative output, but that's not necessarily a concern for a player whose strengths currently lie elsewhere.

With 667 minutes under his belt, Koné is still finding his feet at Annecy. His ability to compete defensively and carry the ball through midfield gives his team plenty to work with, and it will be worth seeing how his game develops as he gets more opportunities.

Conclusion

Ligue 2 has plenty to offer when it comes to player development. The league has a good mix of younger players getting their first taste of senior football and more experienced players who have plenty to offer in their own right. There is also a range of playing styles and roles right across the division, making it a strong league to look at when trying to identify different types of talent.

The players covered here are just a few examples, but their numbers give us an idea of the different qualities on show in Ligue 2. It will be interesting to see how they get on over the rest of the season and whether they can build on what they have shown so far.