Koukaba, Zabi, Bourabaa among Ligue 1 prospects to watch in 2026-27 | OneFootball

Ligue 1 keeps producing prospects. After a 12-player watchlist for 2026-27, here are those who narrowly missed out.

The question is who could be the next Robin Risser, Tylel Tati, Dayann Methalie, Ismaëlo Ganiou, Sidiki Cherif, Rudy Matondo or Arthur Avom. According to L'Équipe, these are names just outside the main selection.

Rennes may not be the epicentre. Nordan Mukiele, 20, has joined Montpellier on loan, chances look limited for Elias Legendre Quinonez, 18, and winger Amadou Diallo, 20, faces strong competition. Longer term, Thétiot, Assignon and Valmy could emerge.

Le Mans could showcase midfielder Adil Bourabaa, 21, whose winding path via Beauvais hints at technique. At PSG, 16-year-old defender Axel Koukaba looked promising in a 0-3 friendly against Mallorca and could become a Luis Enrique surprise.

At Paris FC, Patrick Zabi, 19, signed from Reims for €25m last winter, is hard to miss. His team-mate, left-footed defender Emmanuel Mbemba, 18, carried a strong reputation at PSG.

Le Havre, which revealed 17-year-old Stephan Zagadou before his cruciate injury, could make room for midfielder Ismaïl Bouneb, 20. At Brest, with Raphael Le Guen, 19, possibly leaving before 31 August, midfielder Axel Lassus, 18, stands out this summer.

Lorient’s Gabin Bernardeau, 20, could benefit after a difficult year at Nice. At OM, visibility is unclear, but defender Hilan Hamzaoui, 20, is rated internally and may surprise. Left-footer Alexi Koum, 20, seems closest to the first team after a Valenciennes loan.

Source: L'Équipe

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