Best Centre-Backs in the Ligue 1 (Oct 2025)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: Ligue 1 Centre-Backs 2022-23
Our database tracked 69 Ligue 1 Centre-Backs in the 2022-23 season, representing 19 clubs with a combined market value of €640.1M. The average market value for Ligue 1 Centre-Backs was €9.3M, with the average age at 25.4 years old.
The most valuable centre-back in the Ligue 1 was Willian Pacho, worth €65.0M and played for Paris Saint-Germain at 24 years old. The top 5 Centre-Backs averaged €38.4M in market value, including Ilya Zabarnyi and Marquinhos.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked centre-back was Juma Bah (19 years, OGC Nice, €6.0M), while the oldest was Abdoulaye Bamba (35 years, Angers SCO, €300K). Research shows Centre-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 46 Centre-Backs (67%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Ligue 1 market for Centre-Backs remained highly competitive with significant transfer activity in the 2022-23 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in Ligue 1
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Ligue 1 Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 19 clubs with €640.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Ligue 1 Centre-Backs
The Ligue 1 CB market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (21 players, 30% of market). The 24-26 age group holds the most value at €217.7M, averaging €13.6M per player.
Top Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (9 players)
21-23 Years (21 players)
24-26 Years (16 players)
27-29 Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 7 Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €237.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 1% of the Ligue 1 CB pool.
Elite (€50M+)
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Club Distribution: Ligue 1 Centre-Backs
Among 19 Ligue 1 clubs, Paris Saint-Germain leads with 4 Centre-Backs worth €167.0M (averaging €41.8M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 64% of tracked Centre-Backs.
Paris Saint-Germain (4 Centre-Backs)
Olympique Marseille (5 Centre-Backs)
RC Strasbourg Alsace (6 Centre-Backs)
AS Monaco (4 Centre-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Willian Pacho
Paris Saint-Germain • 24 years old
€56.2M
€65.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €75.1M
91.0
Ilya Zabarnyi
Paris Saint-Germain • 23 years old
€36.3M
€42.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €50.7M
85.6
Marquinhos
Paris Saint-Germain • 31 years old
€35.0M
€35.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €34.6M
79.7
Facundo Medina
Olympique Marseille • 26 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €25.7M
75.4
Lucas Beraldo
Paris Saint-Germain • 21 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €31.5M
73.4
Benjamin Pavard
Olympique Marseille • 29 years old
€25.0M
€25.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €23.7M
73.2
Alexsandro
LOSC Lille • 26 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €20.6M
72.6
Leonardo Balerdi
Olympique Marseille • 26 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €20.6M
72.6
Thilo Kehrer
AS Monaco • 29 years old
€20.0M
€20.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €19.0M
70.4
Ismaël Doukouré
RC Strasbourg Alsace • 22 years old
€15.6M
€18.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €21.8M
70.2
Mamadou Sarr
RC Strasbourg Alsace • 20 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.2M
69.4
Nayef Aguerd
Olympique Marseille • 29 years old
€18.0M
€18.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €17.1M
69.1
CJ Egan-Riley
Olympique Marseille • 22 years old
€13.8M
€16.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €19.4M
68.8
Moussa Niakhaté
Olympique Lyon • 29 years old
€15.0M
€15.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €14.2M
66.9
Mohammed Salisu
AS Monaco • 26 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.4M
66.3
Youssouf Ndayishimiye
OGC Nice • 26 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.4M
66.3
Christian Mawissa
AS Monaco • 20 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €19.7M
65.8
Otávio
Paris FC • 23 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €11.6M
60.4
Moïse Bombito
OGC Nice • 25 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €10.6M
60.4
Lilian Brassier
Stade Rennais FC • 25 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €10.6M
60.4
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Paris Saint-Germain's Willian Pacho at 24 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 6.50×. That means Willian Pacho is valued 6.50× higher than the median player in the 24-26 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Paris Saint-Germain's Ilya Zabarnyi, who is 23 years old, with a 6.00× PPVE. Third is Mamadou Sarr of RC Strasbourg Alsace, who is 20 years old with a 5.00× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 6.50× means the player is worth 550% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Willian Pacho Paris Saint-Germain | 24 | 24-26 | €65.0M | €10.0M | 6.50× |
| #2 | Ilya Zabarnyi Paris Saint-Germain | 23 | 21-23 | €42.0M | €7.0M | 6.00× |
| #3 | Mamadou Sarr RC Strasbourg Alsace | 20 | U21 | €20.0M | €4.0M | 5.00× |
| #4 | Christian Mawissa AS Monaco | 20 | U21 | €15.0M | €4.0M | 3.75× |
| #5 | Lucas Beraldo Paris Saint-Germain | 21 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €7.0M | 3.57× |
| #6 | Ismaël Doukouré RC Strasbourg Alsace | 22 | 21-23 | €18.0M | €7.0M | 2.57× |
| #7 | Jérémy Jacquet Stade Rennais FC | 20 | U21 | €10.0M | €4.0M | 2.50× |
| #8 | CJ Egan-Riley Olympique Marseille | 22 | 21-23 | €16.0M | €7.0M | 2.29× |
| #9 | Juma Bah OGC Nice | 19 | U21 | €6.0M | €4.0M | 1.50× |
| #10 | Charlie Cresswell FC Toulouse | 23 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €7.0M | 1.43× |
| #11 | Otávio Paris FC | 23 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €7.0M | 1.43× |
| #12 | Abakar Sylla RC Strasbourg Alsace | 22 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €7.0M | 1.43× |
| #13 | Andrew Omobamidele RC Strasbourg Alsace | 23 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €7.0M | 1.14× |
| #14 | Soumaïla Coulibaly Stade Brestois 29 | 22 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €7.0M | 1.14× |
| #15 | Arouna Sangante Le Havre AC | 23 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €7.0M | 1.14× |
| #16 | Emmanuel Biumla Angers SCO | 20 | U21 | €4.0M | €4.0M | 1.00× |
| #17 | Moïse Bombito OGC Nice | 25 | 24-26 | €10.0M | €10.0M | 1.00× |
| #18 | Lilian Brassier Stade Rennais FC | 25 | 24-26 | €10.0M | €10.0M | 1.00× |
| #19 | Étienne Youté Kinkoué Le Havre AC | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €7.0M | 1.00× |
| #20 | Anthony Rouault Stade Rennais FC | 24 | 24-26 | €10.0M | €10.0M | 1.00× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
No RPP data available (requires forecast values in database)
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
RC Lens's Nidal Celik has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 96.4. That means Nidal Celik has 36% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is RC Strasbourg Alsace's Lucas Høgsberg with a 96.4 RAU (36% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Juma Bah of OGC Nice with a 96.4 RAU (36% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 96.4 means the upside is 96.4× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Nidal Celik RC Lens | €2.5M | €2.1M-2.8M | +36% | 96.4 |
| #2 | Lucas Høgsberg RC Strasbourg Alsace | €4.8M | €4.1M-5.4M | +36% | 96.4 |
| #3 | Juma Bah OGC Nice | €8.2M | €7.0M-9.3M | +36% | 96.4 |
| #4 | Jérémy Jacquet Stade Rennais FC | €13.1M | €11.3M-14.9M | +31% | 86.2 |
| #5 | Mamadou Sarr RC Strasbourg Alsace | €26.2M | €22.6M-29.9M | +31% | 86.2 |
| #6 | Christian Mawissa AS Monaco | €19.7M | €17.0M-22.4M | +31% | 86.2 |
| #7 | Ismaëlo Ganiou RC Lens | €1.3M | €1.1M-1.5M | +31% | 86.2 |
| #8 | Emmanuel Biumla Angers SCO | €5.2M | €4.5M-6.0M | +31% | 86.2 |
| #9 | Ousmane Touré LOSC Lille | €656K | €566K-747K | +31% | 86.2 |
| #10 | Sadibou Sané FC Metz | €6.3M | €5.4M-7.2M | +26% | 75.2 |
| #11 | Lucas Beraldo Paris Saint-Germain | €31.5M | €27.2M-35.9M | +26% | 75.2 |
| #12 | Nathan Ngoy LOSC Lille | €4.2M | €3.7M-4.7M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #13 | Isaak Touré FC Lorient | €8.5M | €7.5M-9.5M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #14 | Abakar Sylla RC Strasbourg Alsace | €12.1M | €10.7M-13.6M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #15 | Ousmane Camara Angers SCO | €485K | €426K-543K | +21% | 72.7 |
| #16 | Ismaël Doukouré RC Strasbourg Alsace | €21.8M | €19.2M-24.4M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #17 | Junior Diaz Stade Brestois 29 | €4.8M | €4.3M-5.4M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #18 | CJ Egan-Riley Olympique Marseille | €19.4M | €17.1M-21.7M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #19 | Soumaïla Coulibaly Stade Brestois 29 | €9.7M | €8.5M-10.9M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #20 | Ilya Zabarnyi Paris Saint-Germain | €50.7M | €44.7M-56.8M | +21% | 71.8 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: centre-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
OGC Nice's Moïse Bombito in the 24-26 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +10.8%. That means Willian Pacho captures 34.0% of total market value while representing only 23.2% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is RC Lens's Malang Sarr with a +10.8% ASC (34.0% value share vs 23.2% player share in 24-26 bracket). Third is Mark McKenzie of FC Toulouse with a +10.8% ASC (34.0% value vs 23.2% players in 24-26 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +10.8% ASC means the player captures 10.8% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Moïse Bombito OGC Nice | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #2 | Malang Sarr RC Lens | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #3 | Mark McKenzie FC Toulouse | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #4 | Facundo Medina Olympique Marseille | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #5 | Lilian Brassier Stade Rennais FC | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #6 | Mohammed Salisu AS Monaco | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #7 | Mohamed Abdelmonem OGC Nice | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #8 | Leonardo Balerdi Olympique Marseille | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #9 | Ruben Kluivert Olympique Lyon | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #10 | Alexsandro LOSC Lille | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #11 | Moustapha Mbow Paris FC | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #12 | Willian Pacho Paris Saint-Germain | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #13 | Youssouf Ndayishimiye OGC Nice | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #14 | Anthony Rouault Stade Rennais FC | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #15 | Sinaly Diomandé AJ Auxerre | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #16 | Alidu Seidu Stade Rennais FC | 24-26 | 34.0% | 23.2% | +10.8% |
| #17 | Nikola Maksimović NK Kustosija Zagreb | 30+ | 10.5% | 20.3% | -9.8% |
| #18 | Samuel Umtiti LOSC Lille | 30+ | 10.5% | 20.3% | -9.8% |
| #19 | Jonathan Gradit RC Lens | 30+ | 10.5% | 20.3% | -9.8% |
| #20 | Uros Radakovic FC Nantes | 30+ | 10.5% | 20.3% | -9.8% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use: "Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets. "Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months. "Peak" = pay premium for proven performers. "Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 31 immediate targets, 7 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 13 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €65.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Malang Sarr RC Lens | €5.0M | €6.0M | -1.25 | Good Value |
Sinaly Diomandé AJ Auxerre | €5.0M | €6.0M | -1.25 | Good Value |
Ousmane Camara Angers SCO | €400K | €6.0M | -1.03 | Good Value |
Christian Mawissa AS Monaco | €15.0M | €6.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Juma Bah OGC Nice | €6.0M | €6.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Brendan Chardonnet Stade Brestois 29 | €6.0M | €6.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Mark McKenzie FC Toulouse | €6.0M | €6.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Ruben Kluivert Olympique Lyon | €700K | €6.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Rafael Fernandes LOSC Lille | €1.0M | €6.0M | -0.83 | Good Value |
Sadibou Sané FC Metz | €5.0M | €6.0M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Clément Akpa AJ Auxerre | €5.0M | €6.0M | -0.75 | Good Value |
Moussa Niakhaté Olympique Lyon | €15.0M | €6.0M | -0.71 | Good Value |
Nathaniel Adjei FC Lorient | €1.5M | €6.0M | -0.67 | Good Value |
Ousmane Touré LOSC Lille | €500K | €6.0M | -0.52 | Good Value |
Saïdou Sow RC Strasbourg Alsace | €6.0M | €6.0M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Timothée Kolodziejczak Paris FC | €250K | €6.0M | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Nikola Maksimović NK Kustosija Zagreb | €300K | €6.0M | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Abdoulaye Bamba Angers SCO | €300K | €6.0M | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Ismaëlo Ganiou RC Lens | €1.0M | €6.0M | -0.32 | Fair Value |
Uros Radakovic FC Nantes | €650K | €6.0M | -0.31 | Fair Value |