Best U23 Young Defensive Midfielders in the Ligue 1
9 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Defensive Midfielders in the Ligue 1 (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: Ligue 1 Young Defensive Midfielders 2022-23
Our database tracked 9 Ligue 1 Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2022-23 season, representing 9 clubs with a combined market value of €78.2M. The average market value for Ligue 1 Young Defensive Midfielders was €8.7M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Ligue 1 was Arthur Vermeeren, worth €28.0M and played for Olympique Marseille at 21 years old. The top 5 Young Defensive Midfielders averaged €14.4M in market value, including Tyler Morton and Ngal'ayel Mukau.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young defensive midfielder was Hamidou Makalou (19 years, Stade Brestois 29, €800K), while the oldest was Tyler Morton (23 years, Olympique Lyon, €18.0M). Research shows Young Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 9 Young Defensive Midfielders (100%) 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 Young Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent 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 Young Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 9 clubs with €78.2M combined value.
Age Distribution: Ligue 1 Young Defensive Midfielders
The Ligue 1 CDM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (7 players, 78% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €76.4M, averaging €10.9M per player.
Top Young Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (2 players)
21-23 Years (7 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Defensive Midfielders (11% of players) control €28.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with high (€15-30m) tier representing 22% of the Ligue 1 CDM pool.
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Ligue 1 Young Defensive Midfielders
Among 9 Ligue 1 clubs, Olympique Marseille leads with 1 Young Defensive Midfielders worth €28.0M (averaging €28.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Defensive Midfielders.
Olympique Marseille (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Olympique Lyon (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
LOSC Lille (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
FC Nantes (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Arthur Vermeeren
Olympique Marseille • 21 years old
€24.2M
€28.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €32.1M
77.9
Tyler Morton
Olympique Lyon • 23 years old
€15.6M
€18.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €19.1M
73.1
Ngal'ayel Mukau
LOSC Lille • 21 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €13.8M
67.2
Johann Lepenant
FC Nantes • 23 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.4M
57.6
Junior Mwanga
RC Strasbourg Alsace • 23 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.4M
57.6
Lucas Gourna-Douath
Le Havre AC • 22 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.4M
50.1
Fodé Sylla
RC Lens • 20 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.2M
28.0
Hamidou Makalou
Stade Brestois 29 • 19 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €988K
24.8
Cedrik Gbo
Etoile Sportive du Sahel • 23 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €423K
17.4
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)
Olympique Marseille's Arthur Vermeeren at 21 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 4.00×. That means Arthur Vermeeren is valued 4.00× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Olympique Lyon's Tyler Morton, who is 23 years old, with a 2.57× PPVE. Third is Ngal'ayel Mukau of LOSC Lille, who is 21 years old with a 1.71× 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 4.00× means the player is worth 300% 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 | Arthur Vermeeren Olympique Marseille | 21 | 21-23 | €28.0M | €7.0M | 4.00× |
| #2 | Tyler Morton Olympique Lyon | 23 | 21-23 | €18.0M | €7.0M | 2.57× |
| #3 | Ngal'ayel Mukau LOSC Lille | 21 | 21-23 | €12.0M | €7.0M | 1.71× |
| #4 | Junior Mwanga RC Strasbourg Alsace | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €7.0M | 1.00× |
| #5 | Johann Lepenant FC Nantes | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €7.0M | 1.00× |
| #6 | Fodé Sylla RC Lens | 20 | U21 | €1.0M | €1.0M | 1.00× |
| #7 | Hamidou Makalou Stade Brestois 29 | 19 | U21 | €800K | €1.0M | 0.80× |
| #8 | Lucas Gourna-Douath Le Havre AC | 22 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €7.0M | 0.57× |
| #9 | Cedrik Gbo Etoile Sportive du Sahel | 23 | 21-23 | €400K | €7.0M | 0.06× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Stade Brestois 29's Hamidou Makalou at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Hamidou Makalou is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is RC Lens's Fodé Sylla, who is 20 years old, with a +40% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Ngal'ayel Mukau of LOSC Lille, who is 21 years old with a +35% RPP (5 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 44% RPP means the player is expected to gain 44% value as they enter their prime-making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hamidou Makalou Stade Brestois 29 | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.4M | +44% |
| #2 | Fodé Sylla RC Lens | 20 | 6 | €1.0M | €1.7M | +40% |
| #3 | Ngal'ayel Mukau LOSC Lille | 21 | 5 | €12.0M | €18.5M | +35% |
| #4 | Arthur Vermeeren Olympique Marseille | 21 | 5 | €28.0M | €43.3M | +35% |
| #5 | Lucas Gourna-Douath Le Havre AC | 22 | 4 | €4.0M | €5.7M | +30% |
| #6 | Junior Mwanga RC Strasbourg Alsace | 23 | 3 | €7.0M | €9.4M | +25% |
| #7 | Johann Lepenant FC Nantes | 23 | 3 | €7.0M | €9.4M | +25% |
| #8 | Tyler Morton Olympique Lyon | 23 | 3 | €18.0M | €24.1M | +25% |
| #9 | Cedrik Gbo Etoile Sportive du Sahel | 23 | 3 | €400K | €535K | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Stade Brestois 29's Hamidou Makalou has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 68.9. That means Hamidou Makalou has 23% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is RC Lens's Fodé Sylla with a 58.0 RAU (19% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Ngal'ayel Mukau of LOSC Lille with a 46.3 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 68.9 means the upside is 68.9× 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 | Hamidou Makalou Stade Brestois 29 | €988K | €852K-1.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #2 | Fodé Sylla RC Lens | €1.2M | €1.0M-1.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #3 | Ngal'ayel Mukau LOSC Lille | €13.8M | €11.9M-15.7M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #4 | Arthur Vermeeren Olympique Marseille | €32.1M | €27.7M-36.5M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #5 | Lucas Gourna-Douath Le Havre AC | €4.4M | €3.9M-4.9M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #6 | Tyler Morton Olympique Lyon | €19.1M | €16.8M-21.3M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #7 | Junior Mwanga RC Strasbourg Alsace | €7.4M | €6.5M-8.3M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #8 | Johann Lepenant FC Nantes | €7.4M | €6.5M-8.3M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #9 | Cedrik Gbo Etoile Sportive du Sahel | €423K | €373K-474K | +6% | 23.0 |
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: young defensive midfielder position shows weak 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)
RC Strasbourg Alsace's Junior Mwanga in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +19.9%. That means Arthur Vermeeren captures 97.7% of total market value while representing only 77.8% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is LOSC Lille's Ngal'ayel Mukau with a +19.9% ASC (97.7% value share vs 77.8% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Johann Lepenant of FC Nantes with a +19.9% ASC (97.7% value vs 77.8% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +19.9% ASC means the player captures 19.9% 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 | Junior Mwanga RC Strasbourg Alsace | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #2 | Ngal'ayel Mukau LOSC Lille | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #3 | Johann Lepenant FC Nantes | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #4 | Tyler Morton Olympique Lyon | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #5 | Lucas Gourna-Douath Le Havre AC | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #6 | Cedrik Gbo Etoile Sportive du Sahel | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #7 | Arthur Vermeeren Olympique Marseille | 21-23 | 97.7% | 77.8% | +19.9% |
| #8 | Hamidou Makalou Stade Brestois 29 | U21 | 2.3% | 22.2% | -19.9% |
| #9 | Fodé Sylla RC Lens | U21 | 2.3% | 22.2% | -19.9% |
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: 2 immediate targets, 7 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
No players in this category
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 €28.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hamidou Makalou Stade Brestois 29 | €800K | €7.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Tyler Morton Olympique Lyon | €18.0M | €7.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Cedrik Gbo Etoile Sportive du Sahel | €400K | €7.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Junior Mwanga RC Strasbourg Alsace | €7.0M | €7.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Johann Lepenant FC Nantes | €7.0M | €7.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Lucas Gourna-Douath Le Havre AC | €4.0M | €7.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Arthur Vermeeren Olympique Marseille | €28.0M | €7.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Fodé Sylla RC Lens | €1.0M | €7.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ngal'ayel Mukau LOSC Lille | €12.0M | €7.0M | +1.00 | Above Market |