Under 23 · Ligue 1 · 2025-26

Best U23 Young Left-Backs in the Ligue 1

10 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Best Young Left-Backs in the Ligue 1 (Apr 2026)

Ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Market Overview: Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs 2025-26

Our database tracks 10 Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs in the 2025-26 season, representing 8 clubs with a combined market value of €107.3M. The average market value for Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs is €10.7M, with the average age at 21.7 years old.

The most valuable young left-back in the Ligue 1 is Nuno Mendes, worth €70.0M and playing for Paris Saint-Germain at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Left-Backs average €20.7M in market value, including Quentin Merlin and Bradley Locko.

Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young left-back is Nhoa Sangui (20 years, Paris FC, €2.5M), while the oldest is Nuno Mendes (23 years, Paris Saint-Germain, €70.0M). Research shows Young Left-Backs typically peak at age 27.

Our 1-year forecast model projects 10 Young Left-Backs (100%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Ligue 1 market for Young Left-Backs remains actively developing with emerging talent in the 2025-26 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.

Market Intelligence

Explore Market Size by Position in Ligue 1

Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 8 clubs with €107.3M combined value.

Players Tracked

By League

Premier League La Liga Bundesliga Serie A Ligue 1

By Position

GK CB LB RB CDM

More Positions

CM CAM LW RW ST

By Season

2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23

Age Distribution: Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs

The Ligue 1 LB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (7 players, 70% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €103.2M, averaging €14.7M per player.

U21 years3 players (30%)

€4.1MAvg: €1.4M

Top player: Nhoa Sangui (€2.5M)

21-23 years7 players (70%)

€103.2MAvg: €14.7M

Top player: Nuno Mendes (€70.0M)

Top Young Left-Backs by Age Bracket

U21 Years (3 players)

1. Nhoa Sangui(20yo)

€2.5M

2. Justin Bourgault(20yo)

€800K

3. Mahamadou Nagida(20yo)

€800K

21-23 Years (7 players)

1. Nuno Mendes(23yo)

€70.0M

2. Quentin Merlin(23yo)

€15.0M

3. Bradley Locko(23yo)

€9.0M

4. Kassoum Ouattara(21yo)

€7.0M

5. Achraf Laâziri(22yo)

€800K

Market Value Distribution

Elite Tier Concentration

65%of market value

The top 1 Young Left-Backs (10% of players) control €70.0M

1. Nuno Mendes€70.0M

Market Tiers

Elite (€50M+)1 players (10%)

€70.0M

High (€15-30M)1 players (10%)

€15.0M

Mid (€5-15M)2 players (20%)

€16.0M

Emerging (<€5M)6 players (60%)

€6.3M

Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 10% of the Ligue 1 LB pool.

Elite (€50M+)

1. Nuno Mendes

Paris Saint-Germain€70.0M

High (€15-30M)

1. Quentin Merlin

Stade Rennais FC€15.0M

Mid (€5-15M)

1. Bradley Locko

Stade Brestois 29€9.0M

2. Kassoum Ouattara

AS Monaco€7.0M

Club Distribution: Ligue 1 Young Left-Backs

Among 8 Ligue 1 clubs, Paris Saint-Germain leads with 1 Young Left-Backs worth €70.0M (averaging €70.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Left-Backs.

Paris Saint-Germain

1 players • €70.0M

Stade Rennais FC

2 players • €15.8M

Stade Brestois 29

2 players • €9.8M

AS Monaco

1 players • €7.0M

Paris FC

1 players • €2.5M

Olympique Lyon

1 players • €800K

Angers SCO

1 players • €800K

AJ Auxerre

1 players • €600K

Paris Saint-Germain (1 Young Left-Backs)

Nuno Mendes(23yo)

€70.0M

Stade Rennais FC (2 Young Left-Backs)

Quentin Merlin(23yo)

€15.0M

Mahamadou Nagida(20yo)

€800K

Stade Brestois 29 (2 Young Left-Backs)

Bradley Locko(23yo)

€9.0M

Justin Bourgault(20yo)

€800K

AS Monaco (1 Young Left-Backs)

Kassoum Ouattara(21yo)

€7.0M

Player Rankings

Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.

Nuno Mendes

Paris Saint-Germain • 23 years old

€60.5M

€70.0M

+15.6%

€68.6M€87.4M

Expected: €78.0M

93.4

Quentin Merlin

Stade Rennais FC • 23 years old

€13.0M

€15.0M

+15.6%

€14.1M€18.0M

Expected: €16.1M

70.4

Bradley Locko

Stade Brestois 29 • 23 years old

€7.8M

€9.0M

+15.6%

€8.5M€10.8M

Expected: €9.6M

60.5

Kassoum Ouattara

AS Monaco • 21 years old

€6.1M

€7.0M

+15.6%

€6.7M€8.8M

Expected: €7.7M

56.1

Nhoa Sangui

Paris FC • 20 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.5M€3.3M

Expected: €2.9M

39.1

Achraf Laâziri

Olympique Lyon • 22 years old

€692K

€800K

+15.6%

€745K€948K

Expected: €847K

26.2

Jacques Ekomié

Angers SCO • 22 years old

€692K

€800K

+15.6%

€745K€948K

Expected: €847K

26.2

Justin Bourgault

Stade Brestois 29 • 20 years old

€692K

€800K

+15.6%

€791K€1.0M

Expected: €917K

24.9

Mahamadou Nagida

Stade Rennais FC • 20 years old

€692K

€800K

+15.6%

€791K€1.0M

Expected: €917K

24.9

#10

Fredrik Oppegård

AJ Auxerre • 23 years old

€519K

€600K

+15.6%

€565K€719K

Expected: €642K

23.2

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 Nuno Mendes at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 10.00×. That means Nuno Mendes is valued 10.00× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.

In second is Paris FC's Nhoa Sangui, who is 20 years old, with a 3.13× PPVE. Third is Quentin Merlin of Stade Rennais FC, who is 23 years old with a 2.14× 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 10.00× means the player is worth 900% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.

PPVE by Age Bracket

Nuno MendesParis Saint-Germain

21-23 • 23yo10.00×

€70.0M • 900% above median

Nhoa SanguiParis FC

U21 • 20yo3.13×

€2.5M • 213% above median

Quentin MerlinStade Rennais FC

21-23 • 23yo2.14×

€15.0M • 114% above median

Bradley LockoStade Brestois 29

21-23 • 23yo1.29×

€9.0M • 29% above median

Justin BourgaultStade Brestois 29

U21 • 20yo1.00×

€800K • 0% above median

Mahamadou NagidaStade Rennais FC

U21 • 20yo1.00×

€800K • 0% above median

Kassoum OuattaraAS Monaco

21-23 • 21yo1.00×

€7.0M • 0% above median

Achraf LaâziriOlympique Lyon

21-23 • 22yo0.11×

€800K • -89% above median

Jacques EkomiéAngers SCO

21-23 • 22yo0.11×

€800K • -89% above median

Fredrik OppegårdAJ Auxerre

21-23 • 23yo0.09×

€600K • -91% above median

Rank	Player	Age	Bracket	Current Value	Bracket Median	PPVE
#1	Nuno Mendes Paris Saint-Germain	23	21-23	€70.0M	€7.0M	10.00×
#2	Nhoa Sangui Paris FC	20	U21	€2.5M	€800K	3.13×
#3	Quentin Merlin Stade Rennais FC	23	21-23	€15.0M	€7.0M	2.14×
#4	Bradley Locko Stade Brestois 29	23	21-23	€9.0M	€7.0M	1.29×
#5	Justin Bourgault Stade Brestois 29	20	U21	€800K	€800K	1.00×
#6	Mahamadou Nagida Stade Rennais FC	20	U21	€800K	€800K	1.00×
#7	Kassoum Ouattara AS Monaco	21	21-23	€7.0M	€7.0M	1.00×
#8	Achraf Laâziri Olympique Lyon	22	21-23	€800K	€7.0M	0.11×
#9	Jacques Ekomié Angers SCO	22	21-23	€800K	€7.0M	0.11×
#10	Fredrik Oppegård AJ Auxerre	23	21-23	€600K	€7.0M	0.09×

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)

Paris FC's Nhoa Sangui at 20 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +35%. That means Nhoa Sangui is projected to appreciate 35% as they reach their peak age in 6 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.

In second is Stade Brestois 29's Justin Bourgault, who is 20 years old, with a +35% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Mahamadou Nagida of Stade Rennais FC, who is 20 years old with a +35% RPP (6 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 35% RPP means the player is expected to gain 35% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.

Recovery Potential by Player

Nhoa SanguiParis FC

6yr to peak+35%

€2.5M → €3.9M

Justin BourgaultStade Brestois 29

6yr to peak+35%

€800K → €1.2M

Mahamadou NagidaStade Rennais FC

6yr to peak+35%

€800K → €1.2M

Kassoum OuattaraAS Monaco

5yr to peak+30%

€7.0M → €10.1M

Achraf LaâziriOlympique Lyon

4yr to peak+25%

€800K → €1.1M

Jacques EkomiéAngers SCO

4yr to peak+25%

€800K → €1.1M

Nuno MendesParis Saint-Germain

3yr to peak+20%

€70.0M → €87.0M

Fredrik OppegårdAJ Auxerre

3yr to peak+20%

€600K → €746K

Bradley LockoStade Brestois 29

3yr to peak+20%

€9.0M → €11.2M

Quentin MerlinStade Rennais FC

3yr to peak+20%

€15.0M → €18.6M

Rank	Player	Age	Years to Peak	Current	Peak Forecast	RPP %
#1	Nhoa Sangui Paris FC	20	6	€2.5M	€3.9M	+35%
#2	Justin Bourgault Stade Brestois 29	20	6	€800K	€1.2M	+35%
#3	Mahamadou Nagida Stade Rennais FC	20	6	€800K	€1.2M	+35%
#4	Kassoum Ouattara AS Monaco	21	5	€7.0M	€10.1M	+30%
#5	Achraf Laâziri Olympique Lyon	22	4	€800K	€1.1M	+25%
#6	Jacques Ekomié Angers SCO	22	4	€800K	€1.1M	+25%
#7	Nuno Mendes Paris Saint-Germain	23	3	€70.0M	€87.0M	+20%
#8	Fredrik Oppegård AJ Auxerre	23	3	€600K	€746K	+20%
#9	Bradley Locko Stade Brestois 29	23	3	€9.0M	€11.2M	+20%
#10	Quentin Merlin Stade Rennais FC	23	3	€15.0M	€18.6M	+20%

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 Justin Bourgault has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 46.3. That means Justin Bourgault has 15% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.

In second is Stade Rennais FC's Mahamadou Nagida with a 46.3 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Nhoa Sangui of Paris FC 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 46.3 means the upside is 46.3× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.

Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player

Justin BourgaultStade Brestois 29

↑15% / ±0%46.3

Range: €791K - €1.0M

Mahamadou NagidaStade Rennais FC

↑15% / ±0%46.3

Range: €791K - €1.0M

Nhoa SanguiParis FC

↑15% / ±0%46.3

Range: €2.5M - €3.3M

Nuno MendesParis Saint-Germain

↑11% / ±0%42.8

Range: €68.6M - €87.4M

Kassoum OuattaraAS Monaco

↑10% / ±0%33.7

Range: €6.7M - €8.8M

Quentin MerlinStade Rennais FC

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €14.1M - €18.0M

Fredrik OppegårdAJ Auxerre

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €565K - €719K

Bradley LockoStade Brestois 29

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €8.5M - €10.8M

Achraf LaâziriOlympique Lyon

↑6% / ±0%23.0

Range: €745K - €948K

Jacques EkomiéAngers SCO

↑6% / ±0%23.0

Range: €745K - €948K

Rank	Player	Expected	Range	Upside %	RAU
#1	Justin Bourgault Stade Brestois 29	€917K	€791K-1.0M	+15%	46.3
#2	Mahamadou Nagida Stade Rennais FC	€917K	€791K-1.0M	+15%	46.3
#3	Nhoa Sangui Paris FC	€2.9M	€2.5M-3.3M	+15%	46.3
#4	Nuno Mendes Paris Saint-Germain	€78.0M	€68.6M-87.4M	+11%	42.8
#5	Kassoum Ouattara AS Monaco	€7.7M	€6.7M-8.8M	+10%	33.7
#6	Quentin Merlin Stade Rennais FC	€16.1M	€14.1M-18.0M	+7%	27.5
#7	Fredrik Oppegård AJ Auxerre	€642K	€565K-719K	+7%	27.5
#8	Bradley Locko Stade Brestois 29	€9.6M	€8.5M-10.8M	+7%	27.5
#9	Achraf Laâziri Olympique Lyon	€847K	€745K-948K	+6%	23.0
#10	Jacques Ekomié Angers SCO	€847K	€745K-948K	+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 left-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.

Position Depth Analysis

Total Players

0.00

Avg Z-Score

0.00

RPI Score

Weak DepthStrong Depth

-3.00+3.0

Highest Z-Scores

Nuno Mendes+2.92

Quentin Merlin+0.21

Bradley Locko+-0.09

Kassoum Ouattara+-0.18

Nhoa Sangui+-0.41

Lowest Z-Scores

Fredrik Oppegård-0.50

Mahamadou Nagida-0.49

Justin Bourgault-0.49

Jacques Ekomié-0.49

Achraf Laâziri-0.49

Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.

Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

AJ Auxerre's Fredrik Oppegård in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +26.2%. That means Nuno Mendes captures 96.2% of total market value while representing only 70.0% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.

In second is Stade Rennais FC's Quentin Merlin with a +26.2% ASC (96.2% value share vs 70.0% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain with a +26.2% ASC (96.2% value vs 70.0% players in 21-23 bracket).

How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +26.2% ASC means the player captures 26.2% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.