The hunt for Major League Soccer’s next DP: Ligue 1 – Part II

By Gunnar Berndt

Might MLS’s next big star be coming from France? With Collective Bargaining negotiations between MLS and its Players Union looming, Gunnar Berndt continues to examine which Ligue 1 candidates could fill additional Designated Player (DP) slots.

The recent signings of such stars as Bradley, Dempsey, Defoe & Co. are a testament to many team owners’ willingness to hand out big paychecks to the right type of difference-maker (much of a DP’s salary not counting against the salary cap). Yet, it also remains true that players whose contracts are set to run out stand a much better chance of being considered as DPs, as their acquisitions don’t involve hefty transfer fees. Such candidates are thus given preferential treatment here, with on-field quality, name recognition, age and other potential factors also being considered.

In this edition of the series, our focus shifts to defensive midfielders and wingers in the French top flight. Be sure to keep an eye out for part three of our Ligue 1 analysis, which will zoom in on some playmaking maestros and ruthless scoring machines.

Read also:
Ligue 1 Edition – Part 1
Eredivisie Edition
Bundesliga Edition – Part 1 and Bundesliga Edition – Part 2

MLS DESIGNATED PLAYER CANDIDATES:
LIGUE 1 DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS AND WINGERS

Jean II Makoun (31 – Cameroon – Defensive Midfielder – Rennes)

A Lille legend, Makoun moved to mighty Lyon in 2008 and established himself as a world-class defensive midfielder before eventually falling out of favor.

His 2011 switch to Aston Villa yielded only frustration and Makoun went on loan to Greece’s Olympiakos and France’s Rennes, which signed him outright in March 2013. While limited playing time this season has seen the hard worker’s value continue to drop, he should have plenty left to offer to an MLS side seeking midfield bite.

Makoun, who turns 32 just before his contract is up next summer, has hinted at being open to leaving Rennes. His international retirement following Brazil 2014 means national team call-ups likely won’t be a factor going forward.

 

Antoine Devaux (29 – France – Defensive Midfielder – Reims)

Devaux is a classic later bloomer, having spent much of his career with lower-profile clubs and as an on-and-off contributor with Ligue 1 side Toulouse. It wasn’t until a 2012 switch to fellow top-flight outfit Reims that the midfielder finally made a name for himself as an indispensable fixture.

Given Devaux’s key role on the team this season, the former Le Havre and Boulogne man may choose to sign a contract extension before his current Reims deal expires in summer 2015.

Of course that doesn’t mean an MLS team shouldn’t make its case. It may just take a decent amount of money to lure Devaux away from a good situation. He turns 30 in February.

Fabien Lemoine (27 – France – Defensive Midfielder – Saint-Étienne)

Lemoine would fit well with a team looking for a DP-caliber player to consistently win battles in his own half and distribute quickly into the attack.

While having spent his career somewhat under the radar, the defensive midfielder has quietly accumulated over 100 appearances with each Rennes and Saint-Étienne, and he remains a hot candidate for a move to a bigger European team.

However, given Lemoine’s preference of non-A-list clubs thus far, it’s conceivable the right offer could lure him across the pond despite his relatively young age. The Frenchmen turns 28 before his contract is up next summer.

 

Rio Mavuba (30 – France – Defensive Midfielder – Lille)

Speaking of dizzying salaries, one who would no doubt be among the best-paid in MLS is Frenchman Mavuba. Following four productive years with Bordeaux and a forgettable 2007-08 with Spain’s Villareal, the hard worker made his loan deal with Lille permanent six years ago.

Since then, Mavuba has captained the team to the 2010-11 league and cup crowns, won a Ligue 1 best eleven selection and added to his legendary status by representing France in Brazil this year.

Like Reims’s Devaux, fellow defensive midfielder Mavuba, who turns 31 in March, may want to extend his current contract before it runs out next summer. Only a few MLS teams have the kind of money that could make him reconsider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jérémy Toulalan (31 – France – Defensive Midfielder – Monaco)

In a photo finish for most appealing DP candidate in the defensive midfield position, Monaco captain Toulalan beats out Mavuba by the slightest of margins.

The Lyon legend, who has also laced up for Nantes and Spain’s Málaga, hit his peak between 2008 and 2010, earning a Ligue 1 best eleven selection and representing France at both the European Championships as well as the World Cup in South Africa.

While Toulalan’s value has inevitably decreased with age, he has retained a lot of the qualities from his prime and doesn’t turn 32 until after his Monaco deal expires in summer 2015. The addition of this international star would make almost any MLS team an instant title contender.

 

Sylvain Marveaux (28 – France – Left Winger – Guingamp)

Marveaux made a name for himself at Stade Rennes and attracted the interest of the EPL’s Newcastle United, which signed him in 2011. The stint has turned out far from optimal, with the Frenchman failing to cement a starting spot and opting for a one-year loan with Ligue 1 outfit Guingamp before the current campaign.

While Marveaux’s attempt to revive his career has proven somewhat successful, Guingamp has hinted it can’t afford to buy him outright next summer, meaning he would remain contracted with Newcastle until mid-2016.

This could open the door to a one-year loan to MLS, at the end of which the left winger would be a free agent and able to make the move permanent. Marveaux turns 29 in April.

 

Modou Sougou (29 – Senegal – Right Winger – Evian)

Sougou began his European career with less-known teams in Portugal before impressing at Romania’s CFR Cluj and earning a 2013 transfer to Olympique Marseille. The storied French club soon loaned its speedy winger to Evian and Sougou recently returned on yet another temporary deal.

Should Evian opt against buying the man who represented Senegal in the 2008 African Cup of Nations, MLS could throw its hat in the ring for yet another year-long loan starting next summer.

With Sougou’s Marseille contract up in mid-2016, the soon-to-be 30-year-old could make the move permanent at that point. The question is whether the consistent decrease in his value since joining Marseille might be a deterring factor.

 

Odaïr Fortes (27 – Cape Verde – Right Winger – Reims)

The dangerous winger and Cape Verde international has stuck by his Ligue 1 club through thick and thin.

At well over 200 appearances for Stade Reims since 2008, Fortes is the textbook example of a model professional who will leave it all on the field for the team whose colors he represents.

Given the winger’s loyalty, his relatively young age and his key role on the team, there is a good chance he will sign a contract extension before his current deal expires after 2014-15. Fortes turns 28 around the start of the next MLS season.

Serge Gakpé (27 – Togo – Right Winger – Nantes)

A fringe player with mighty Monaco between 2006 and 2011, Gakpé went on a brief loan stint with Tours before making a permanent switch to Nantes.

Following another successful loan move, this one to Belgium’s Standard Liège, the right winger returned to his Ligue 1 team and has since been a key contributor.

Given Gakpé’s role with the Canaries, and the fact he will only be 28 when his contract expires next summer, convincing him to come to MLS may be a challenge. The Togolese international brings the experience of representing his country at the 2010 and 2013 African Cups of Nations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yann Jouffre (30 – France – Right Winger – Lorient)

Perhaps the most appealing DP candidate from our quartet of right wingers, Jouffre comes fresh off what many consider his best season with Lorient thus far.

The former Nîmes and Guingamp man is known for his loyalty, as another successful campaign would put him within reach of 200 appearances with his current club over the course of six years.

With Jouffre turning 31 shortly after his contract is up in summer 2015, might he be ready for a new challenge before entering the golden years of his career?

 

Gunnar Berndt is a long-time soccer writer and the former Director of Communications with USL PRO side L.A. Blues (now O.C. Blues) and PASL side Anaheim Bolts. Click here to follow him on Twitter!