Ligue 1 Power Rankings: 7 Best Players Under 20 Years Old

The French top flight has always been a breeding ground for young and exciting talent, with many of their best prospects going on to play for top clubs in the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga.

Many believe that as the best of the bunch are constantly being picked up by foreign clubs, that Ligue 1 has been left bereft of quality.

This is certainly not the case, the talent pool in France is consistently replenished with a myriad of promising players which entertain and astound fans on a weekly basis.

Indeed there are a wide number of youngsters who are already making waves in France and appear set for much bigger things in years to come. Here are seven of the best Ligue 1 starlets.

Adrien Rabiot

Paris Saint-Germain have become best known in recent times for recruiting big name players for massive transfer fees.

However, that does not mean they have neglected their youth system, and in midfielder Adrien Rabiot, they appear have unearthed a gem.

The 17-year-old has bounced around a number of teams since first joining third tier side Creteil back in 2001, and even spent a spell at Manchester City before moving to PSG in 2010.

Rabiot looked to have finally found a home at the Parc Des Princes, making six appearances in the league and putting in an excellent display in the 4-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League earlier this term.

However, the French under-19 international has had a difficult time staking a permanent place in Carlo Ancelotti's starting 11, and as a result was loaned out to Toulouse in the January transfer window.

After the departure of Moussa Sissoko to Newcastle United, Rabiot should be able to gain more first-team experience with La Tefece and develop on his undoubted promise.

Corentin Jean

Recently promoted Troyes have spent almost all of the season in the Ligue 1's relegation zone, but striker Corentin Jean has been a rare bright spot for the club from the champagne region, and could well be relied upon if Jean-Marc Furlan's men are to avoid the drop.

Jean made an inauspicious start to his career in the top tier, as he was sent off in the 3-2 defeat to Rennes back in December.

The 17-year-old's misfortune came just days after he netted in the Coupe de la Ligue clash with Rennes, still the management at the Stade de L'Aube have been suitably impressed with his qualities, and have included him in the starting lineup four times this season.

Troyes forwards Marcos and Jean-Christophe Bahebeck have failed to impress in the top flight so far, and with Furlan's side eager to catch up with the rest of the pack, desperation may force them to turn to Jean on a more permanent basis. If Jean is able to make the most of his opportunity his star could quickly rise.

Neal Maupay

Nice have enjoyed a storybook season so far, powering their way into the top six after an excellent run of form that has seen them lose just twice in the league since October.

One of the highlights of their spectacular winning streak has been the emergence of 16-year-old Neal Maupay, who announced himself on the scene with a late winner against Evian back in December.

The striker has since established himself in the first team at the Stade du Ray, and he furthered his reputation further with a goal in the 2-0 win at Lille.

Maupay has also notched an assist in his eight league appearances, and although Nice are blessed with a plethora of attacking talents, the France under-17 man appears set to rise through the ranks at the Cote D'Azur club.

Samuel Umtiti

Lyon have developed a reputation for producing excellent young talents in recent times, and perhaps the crown jewel of their youth system is defender Samuel Umtiti.

Umtiti, who can be deployed at centre-back or at left-back, has broken through the ranks at the Stade de Gerland this season, to become a mainstay for Les Gones.

Indeed, the 19-year-old has been integral to Lyon's success this season, averaging almost seven clearances a game and winning 36 of the 42 of the aerial duels he has contested in his 13 league appearances this term.

The France under-20 international has represented his country at every level so far in his career, and if he continues to perform at the same level that he has done in this campaign, it won't be long until Umtiti is playing for Les Bleus as a full international.

Rafidine Abdullah

Beset by financial difficulties, Marseille have struggled to recruit new faces this season and have begun to rely more on their academy as a result.

One of the success stories of L'OM's newfound reliance on youth has been central midfielder Rafidine Abdullah, who has forced his way into the first-team squad at the tender age of 19.

Abdullah has made 15 appearances for Elie Baup's side this term, and although 12 of those have come from the bench, the France under-19 international has still managed to impress in a very short space of time in the first-team setup.

Composed and confident on the ball, Abdullah has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes so far in the campaign. Abdullah is eligible to play for both France and Algeria at international level, and if he continues to progress through the ranks at the Stade Velodrome, the midfielder may have a decision to make regarding his future in the coming years.

Florian Thauvin

After impressing for much of the season with Ligue 1 new boys Bastia, Florian Thauvin earned his first big move in what looks set to be a superb career by moving to Lille in January.

Thauvin, who can be deployed on either flank or behind a main striker, has caught the eye of many observers, scoring three goals and two assists and producing many energetic displays throughout a campaign which looks set to be a relatively successful one for the Corsicans.

The France under-20 international has been immediately loaned back to Bastia by Lille, but with his performances already reportedly catching the eye of Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle United, it may not be long before the 2011 French champions are fighting to keep hold of the starlet.

Expect Thauvin to feature heavily next season for Lille, a club looking to rebuild their side around young and exciting players, however if he continues to perform in the same manner that he has done for Bastia, the Orleans-born midfielder may not be on French shores for very long.

Yassine Benzia

Another product of Olympique Lyonnais' excellent academy, striker Yassine Benzia is a prospect that many are excited about at the Stade de Gerland.

Still only 18, Benzia has struggled for first-team opportunities so far in his career, but when he has been afforded time on the field, he has generally impressed, scoring twice in the Europa League in just three matches whilst also appearing 10 times from the bench in domestic competition.

The center-forward has also gained acclaim for his performances on the international scene. Benzia has played at every level so far for 'Les Bleus' up to under-20 level, scoring 16 goals.

Benzia is behind a raft of talented individuals in the first-team setup at Lyon, but if he is able to force his way into the starting lineup then he could well become a permanent fixture if he delivers on his early potential.