On the Radar: Ligue 3 Talents to Watch in 2026/27

We're back with another look at the standout players in French football. Having covered Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in previous editions, it's time to turn our attention to the third tier. There's no shortage of players making a name for themselves in Ligue 3 this season, so we have plenty of players to choose from.

The league table has provided its own talking points already this campaign. Newly promoted La Roche-sur-Yon have made a remarkable start to life in the division and currently sit top after 12 matches, with eight wins. Rouen are just a point behind, while Caen and Versailles are also keeping pace. Although it's still early, if these teams continue their form, we could be in for an exciting title race at the end of the season.

In this piece we're using per-90 data to identify some of the players who have stood out during the early season games, with the aim of bringing a few names to your attention. Here are the Ligue 3 players we think you should be watching out for.

Keelyan Portut - Caen

Keelyan Portut is an interesting player to keep an eye on at Caen. The 19-year-old has featured primarily as a winger this season but he can play as an attacking midfielder as well, and his numbers show he's a player who enjoys taking responsibility in the creative phase rather than simply looking to get into goalscoring positions. With 1,079 minutes under his belt, he's already put up some impressive figures for a player of his age.

The data shows that standout quality is his ability to create opportunities for teammates. Portut averages 1.08 key passes per 90, placing him in the 93rd percentile among positional peers. He also records 0.16 xA and 1.33 shot assists per 90. These numbers point towards a player who is regularly looking to make things happen in the final third.

There is more to his game than just the creative numbers, too. He currently averages 2.34 progressive runs per 90, suggesting he's willing and able to help Caen move up the pitch. He also contributes defensively, with strong numbers for interceptions and defensive duels compared with other players in his position.

So far this season, he's scored once from 2.2 xG, averaging 1.17 shots and 3.59 touches in the box per 90. He's clearly getting into promising areas, but his current return suggests there is room for improvement when it comes to finishing those opportunities.

At 19, there is plenty of time for him to develop these aspects of his game. For now, his ability to create chances and influence attacks makes him one to watch at Caen.

Emmanuel Kouassi - Le Puy-en-Velay

Next up, we have Emmanuel Kouassi of Le Puy-en-Velay. Kouassi primarily operates as a wing back in Le Puy's 3-5-2 system which allows him to get forward and provide width, with his crossing and creativity standing out in the early-season fixtures.

Looking at the data, we can see he averages 3.48 crosses per 90, with 34.15% finding a teammate, and his 0.16 xA per 90 highlights the creative threat he provides from wide areas.

Kouassi is not completely reliant on getting into crossing positions to make an impact, though. He averages 2.38 dribbles and 1.70 progressive runs per 90, which shows he's capable of carrying the ball forward himself. This gives him another way to advance play rather than always looking to release the ball early.

He also averages 4.16 passes into the penalty area per 90, so we know that he can create opportunities through his passing as well as his delivery from out wide.

There is room for improvement defensively. He wins 48.78% of his defensive duels, so he can be vulnerable when directly tested by opponents. However, his attacking contribution is difficult to overlook. Four assists in just over 1,000 minutes is an excellent return so far, if he can continue his good form, he could be one of the standout performers in Ligue 3 this season.

Kamil Bensoula - VFC La Roche-sur-Yon

The third player on our list is Kamil Bensoula. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is a PSG academy graduate who is playing his football at La Roche-sur-Yon. He is a creative presence in the side, looking to get on the ball and find ways to open up opposition defences. There's a real emphasis on his ability to spot passes and create opportunities for those around him.

His creative instinct is reflected in the data, as he averages 1.26 key passes and 0.36 assists per 90. He also shows an appetite for taking the ball forward, whether through his passing or by carrying it into more advanced areas. His profile is that of a midfielder who wants to influence the game with the ball at his feet and help his team make things happen in the final third.

The obvious caveat is the sample size. With only 501 minutes played, these numbers need to be treated with some caution, particularly the assist return. Even so, the creative output is difficult to ignore. If Bensoula can maintain this influence over a longer run of games, he could become an important player for a La Roche side enjoying an excellent start to the season.

Lilian Raillot - US Orléans

Next up we come to Lilian Raillot of Orléans. The 22-year-old has played 731 minutes in Ligue 3 this season and he stands out for the work he does without the ball. He's an aggressive presence who likes to get involved in challenges, disrupt opposition attacks and make life difficult for opponents in the middle of the pitch.

Raillot averages 9.97 defensive duels, winning 62.96% of them, while his 5.54 possession-adjusted interceptions per 90 also stand out. The data suggests he is a midfielder who doesn't purely rely on his physicality to win possession, but can also read the game and anticipate where the ball is going. He's comfortable getting stuck in and gives Orléans a player who can break up play and help them regain control of the midfield.

There's also a really useful contribution in possession that adds to his profile. Raillot averages 7.39 progressive passes per 90 so he is capable of playing line-breaking passes to move his team up the pitch, rather than simply winning it back and playing a safe pass. His profile leans a little more towards a ball-winner than a natural orchestrator, but that could simply be down to the role he is required to play for Orléans, who currently sit 14th in the table. It will be interesting to see how his numbers develop over the course of the season.

Issiaka Karamoko - FC Rouen

Issiaka Karamoko has been one of the most productive creative players in Ligue 3 this season. The 25-year-old operates from the left, where he looks to get involved in the attacking play and provide opportunities for his teammates. He has already contributed five assists and two goals to his team's cause this season.

Karamoko has a good eye for a pass and is capable of picking out teammates in dangerous positions, averaging 1.42 key passes and 2.29 shot assists per 90. He combines his creative quality with a willingness to carry the ball forward, giving Rouen another way to progress attacks in the wide areas.

His numbers show that he’s a player who is heavily involved in the final third and can make things happen for those around him. Karamoko has also shown that his creativity can translate into tangible output, which makes him an interesting player to follow as the season continues.

Mansour Samb - VFC La Roche-sur-Yon

Our final player is Mansour Samb of La Roche-sur-Yon, who is currently on loan from Danish side Horsens. The 23-year-old has made a strong impression in Ligue 3 this season, particularly in front of goal. He has netted nine goals so far this season which has helped propel La Roche to the top of the table.

Samb is a pure penalty box striker who consistently gets himself into dangerous positions and is not afraid to test the goalkeeper. He averages 3.24 shots per 90, with 60.61% of those efforts hitting the target. His 27.27% conversion rate is another impressive figure and shows that he has been making the most of the opportunities coming his way.

Standing at 190cm, he's capable of getting on the end of plenty of crosses that come his way, making him a brilliant attacking outlet for Ligue 3's surprise package. There is plenty to like about his output so far, and his performances will be an important part of La Roche-sur-Yon's push at the top of the table. Samb is certainly one to keep an eye on for the future.

Conclusion

That brings our look at Ligue 3 to an end. The third tier may not always attract the same attention as the divisions above it, but there is plenty of quality and potential waiting to be discovered.

The six players featured here are just a snapshot of that quality, and it will be fascinating to see how their seasons unfold. Some will most likely go on to play a major role in the promotion race, while others could soon find themselves attracting attention from clubs higher up the pyramid. Either way, Ligue 3 is a division well worth keeping an eye on.