Top Ligue 1 Defenders in 2018/19: Jose Fonte

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When we think of some of the best defenders in Ligue 1, we may think of the likes of Dani Alves at champions PSG or his team mate Marquinhos who have already underlined their status as great tacklers of the game in the modern era. But neither of those players came out on top in the Fantasy Football rankings in Ligue 1- that honour went to a Lille player by the name of Jose Fonte.

Fonte is not young at 35 but has had a superb season with Lille who ended up finishing runners up to inevitable champions PSG this season. Fonte has been around and played for no less than 11 different teams, having spells in his native Portugal and playing for clubs such as Benfica, Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Fonte moved to Lille last summer and coming out on top as the best defender in France is no mean feat in his debut year. Fonte scored 3 goals for the club this season and assisted in 1 goal but Fonte was never bought to be scoring goals and he has proved over this year his qualities as a defender in his preferred position as a centre back. This has included helping to keep 15 clean sheets as Lille won 22 of their 38 games.

If he was in your team then you certainly reaped the awards of only having to pay 7.5m for his services and he has turned out to be a fantastic bargain. Even by sole position in major leagues for defenders he would rank 16th so his purchase was good value for money.

Fonte had already earned 9 points within the first two weeks when Lille drew 0-0 against Monaco and then beat Guingamp 3-0. Indeed in Lille’s first 7 games of the season Fonte managed to help his side keep five clean sheets.

The defender’s best point of the season came in matchday 5 when Lille beat Nantes 2-1, he scored a rare goal but also assisted in another to gain 6 points. What was interesting about Fonte’s points this season is that he never had one major outstanding points total instead it was garnered bit by bit and what that showed was consistency. Fonte finished the season with a total points haul of 73 beating second placed Malang Sarr of Nice by 3 points. Only 3 defenders ended the Ligue 1 season with 70 or more points which underlines his achievements this season.

Fonte signed a 2 year contract and with Lille making the Champions League for next season he is sure to be in the amongst the back four come the start of the season. The question will be if the player the wrong side of 30 can have another solid season, for now the Portuguese seems like a massive asset for the club.

Prove you have what it takes to challenge the best French Fantasy Football managers here fantasyligue1.com

Ligue 1- Week 31- 11 Player Picks for the Weekend

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Ligue 1 returns again at the weekend and we will look into the fixtures and try to predict which players will be worth purchasing for your fantasy team at the weekend, based on the fixtures. Formation to be used is 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes- Lyon

Anthony Lopes does not top the points in the fantasy league for goal keepers but the Lyon stopper is all set to face Dijon who are bottom of the league and he has every chance to keep a clean sheet at the weekend. And he did so in his last game when Lyon beat Rennes 1-0. He can be bought for 10m.

Defender: Jose Fonte- Lille

Lille are away at the weekend to Reims but Reims have just lost 4-0 at Strasbourg and 2nd placed Lille will be the favourites to win this game and possibly keep a clean sheet. Plus Fonte has put in some sterling performances over the past few weeks and can be brought in for 7.5m.

Defender: Pierre- Yves Polomat – Saint Etienne

True Polomat has played just 7 games for Saint Etienne this season but the most important factor is that he is playing now. Saint Etienne are in very good form and they will play an average side in Amiens. Polomat is great value to take into your team and is only 3m.

Defender: Jeremy Sorbon – Guingamp

Pitting a defender who plays for Guingamp may not look like a great deal but Sorbon has had some solid displays over the last few months. This has included being part of a team that has kept 3 clean sheets in their last five games, no mean feat. Guingamp will play fellow strugglers Monaco and we could see a low scoring game. Sorbon is valued at 7m.

Defender: Marquinhos- PSG

PSG will be playing Strasbourg in Paris and Marquinhos who has been in great form at the back for the club is only 7.5m which seems like a bargain for a PSG player. PSG have been able to keep 3 clean sheets in the past month and he is worth keeping an eye out for.

Midfielder: Nabil Fekir- Lyon

It’s true that Fekir will set you back 10m but at the weekend if you have the extra funds the talented midfielder could be worth it. Fekir likes to assist and score goals he has 9 so far and has set up a further 5 and Lyon are playing the bottom team in Dijon.

Midfielder: Wylan Cyprien- Nice

Cyprien is a fine midfielder who can score goals and his game usually rises to the occasion of the bigger matches. For Nice playing Montpellier in a battle of the south is a big game. Cyprien is outstanding value and can be bought for just 5m.

Midfielder: Jordan Ferri- Nimes

Jordan Ferri is probably the best midfielder Nimes have overall and the club will be playing Caen at home in 18th place. This gives Nimes a chance to get all three points and they could get a few goals. Ferri could be at the centre piece of that and can be brought in for just 3m.

Midfielder: Thomas Mangani- Angers

Mangani had a terrific week against Marseille as the midfielder got both goals and it may be worth sticking with the player once again for this weekend as Angers will be at home and will take on Rennes. Mangani is good value too and can be brought in for 7m.

Striker: Andy Delort- Montpellier

Delort has been on fine form scoring at the weekend and Montpellier have scored 10 goals in their last 5 games he can be bought for just 7m and is on fire, form wise. Montpellier will be playing Nice away at the weekend.

Striker: Memphis Depay- Lyon

Lyon are in hot pursuit of 2nd place and Memphis Depay will be hoping to fire his side to some wins starting at the weekend against bottom club Dijon. Lyon will be at home and they will be favourites not to just win the game but to score a few goals too and Depay could easily be on the score sheet. He can be brought in for 10.5m, but could be worth it even for a week.

Prove you have what it takes to challenge the best French Fantasy Football managers here www.fantasyligue1.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great move for Lille to sign Jose Fonte

fonteRumours have been swirling over the past few days that French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC could be about to complete the transfer of former Southampton and West Ham defender Jose Fonte to bolster their defence. Les Dogues had a tough time of things last season, narrowly avoiding relegation to Ligue 2, winning out in a race which went right to the wire. They survived at the expense of Toulouse, who went down just a single point behind and with a superior goal difference tally. With that in mind, manager Christophe Galtier looks set to complete one of his primary ambitions this summer in getting in some new faces to shore things up, and in Fonte they are getting a player with a wealth of experience and footballing knowledge.

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Portugal have to take a leaf out of Godin’s book

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Two contrasting styles will take to the Fisht Olympic Stadium on Saturday as Uruguay face Portugal.

Both have their merits and weaknesses and as the stakes get higher, we could be in for one of the games of the tournament so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be keen to continue his goal scoring form from the first couple of group games, and his prowess in front of goal could well be needed if Messrs. Suarez and Cavani are in the mood for Uruguay. Continue reading