Giovani Versini, Ligue 2’s Valbuena figure lighting up Pau | OneFootball

Giovani Versini is one of Ligue 2’s revelations for Pau. He has 7 goals and 4 assists in 22 rounds and is drawing Mathieu Valbuena comparisons.

According to L'Équipe, from a four-generation docker family, he split his youth between ball-boy duties at the Vélodrome and shifts on the city’s docks before afternoon training. He still holds a docker card but is on leave, choosing to chase his passion and happiness in football.

Starting in National 2 with OM’s reserves, he spent 2023-2024 on loan at Bourgoin-Jallieu, then moved to Châteauroux. He was named best prospect of the 2024-2025 National season at the 10th Trophées du National. He also featured in the 1-1 draw with Troyes on 3 November.

After Clermont let him leave on a free, Pau sporting director Luis De Sousa handed him a three-year deal. De Sousa highlights his speed with the ball, low centre of gravity and scope for physical growth, and calls him first out for training, attentive and dependable, the team-mate you want alongside.

Versini’s build and role echo Valbuena, the pair standing 1.67 m, though Versini is left-footed and operates on the right or centrally in a 5-3-2. He says Valbuena inspired him and that, like his model, he started from the bottom. His form allows him to dream of Ligue 1, and Pau, second bottom, need to raise €2m to balance the budget and would not block a move at season’s end.

Source: L'Équipe