2011 saw Lille complete a domestic league and cup double, taking French football by storm. This team, though, and other talents to grace the Stadde Pierre-Mauroy, have ultimately left for bigger clubs.
PSG usually enjoy a comfortable perch at the top of Ligue 1, with talents like Cavani, Draxler and Thiago Silva, it was increasingly harder to see past them. But as Monaco and their enviable youth system have recently smashed PSG’s dominance, French football needs a reminder of Lille and what their team could have accomplished.
Finishing 11th this year and not looking like climbing back up Ligue 1, Lille have fallen a way since their league and cup success – they finished 3rd in both 2012 and 2014 but since have been a long way off the pace.
The players they have produced, however, if kept, would have told a different, and almost cinderella like, story.
GK: Mickael Landreau – Free transfer to SC Bastia
The most appearances of any player in Ligue 1 (618) and a solid choice in net. The french international starts in-between the sticks. Image Source: Twitter
RB: Djibril Sidibe – £12.75 million to Monaco
The attacking right-back has recently starred in a Monaco side taking Europe and France by storm. Technically gifted and quick enough to get up and down the flanks. Image Source: Twitter
CB: Adil Rami – £6 million to Valencia
Rami played for Valencia, AC Milan and Sevilla and started for France throughout Euro 2016. A solid choice at Centre Back. Image Source: Twitter
CB: Dante – Free transfer to Charleroi
The Champions League and Bundesliga winner would be a welcome addition to any team. He would go on to become one of the best defenders in world football. Image Source: Wallabet.fr
LB: Lucas Digne – £15 million to PSG
A young talent who's already amassed £28.9million in transfer fees. Currently understudy to Jordi Alba at Barcelona, Digne looks a real talent.
Image Source: Twitter
CM: Yohan Cabaye – £4.5 million to Newcastle United.
The current Crystal palace man had arguably his best seasons for Lille. Including 15 goals and 10 assists in 2009/10. Image Source: Twitter
CM: Idriss Gueye – £9 million to Aston Villa.
Second to N'Golo Kante for most interceptions in the Premier League since 2015. Gueye, now at Everton, is a powerhouse in midfield. Image Source: Twitter
CAM: Dimitri Payet – £11 million to Marseille
The free-kick extraordinaire may be passionately hated in West ham, but his performances in the Premier League mean he has to be included. Image Source: Twitter
RW: Sofiane Boufal – £16 million to Southampton
Not yet found his feet in the Premier League but a real talent at only 23. Boufal tore up defences in his seasons at Lille, which included 15 goals in 50 games. Image Source: Twitter
LW: Eden Hazard – £32 million to Cheslea
An absolute genius and the Premier League's answer to Ronaldo and Messi.
Image Source: Twitter
ST: Moussa Sow – £10 million to Fenerbahce.
Strong and deadly, Sow scored 31 goals in 54 appearances for Lille.
Image Source: Twitter
The academy and scouts at Lille have brought through some major talents. Some, Like Hazard and Dante, have proven themselves in the biggest leagues in European football as well as on the international stage. Others like Digne and Boufal have shown exceptional talent and look like going on to achieve big things.
If they had all stayed at Lille, undoubtedly they would have faced Monaco and PSG as equals in Ligue 1.
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