Picking an Elite Ligue 1 6-a-Side Team
Usually 6-a-side football is a version of the game enjoyed by friends and colleagues. It’s not often you get the best players in any league to play against each other outside of league and cup fixtures but trying to arrange a 6-a-side game would be difficult.
However, let’s imagine the French league were asked to pick six players to represent Ligue 1 in a worldwide competition. Who would make an elite Ligue 1 6-a-side team?
This is not the best six players in the league; this is a 6-man team that has the individual skills to combine together as an unstoppable unit. One in which would give any equivalent league a good challenge.
Here are the six players that would make up Ligue 1’s elite team.
Did we get it right? Please leave your 6-a-side team in the comments section.
GK: Vincent Enyeama, Lille OSC
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In normal 11-a-side football, sometimes you may only need one great save from your goalkeeper. With fewer numbers, you need your goalkeeper to be alert, agile and one of the best shot-stoppers around. Over the past 18 months, Lille’s Vincent Enyeama, has shown all these qualities.
When Lille finished third last season, Enyeama was at his best making one or two vital saves and went on a fantastic unbeaten run as Lille kept 21 clean sheets.
This season, Les Dogues record has not been as impressive, but that has not been because the Nigerian hasn’t been as good. He has been called into action more often this season and has still been as impressive.
DF: Simon Kjaer, Lille OSC
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In this 6-a-side you need a defender that is mobile, quick and an excellent man-marker. Lille’s Simon Kjaer has shown all of these abilities this season and was named in French newspaper L’Equipe’s team of the season.
"Very proud of Vincent & @simonkjaer1989 ! Two outstanding players / great guys ! Fully deserved. #Congrats #WeAreLOSC pic.twitter.com/vKjiC4tTZO
— Kevin Jeffries (@kevjeffries) December 30, 2014"
The likes of Nicolas N’Koulou and Papy Djilobodji have also been impressive, but Kjaer has the all-round game to shepherd this more attacking unit.
Kjaer’s game has been based on positioning, timing and intelligence, but if he needs to, he is no stranger to putting in a last ditch tackle. He is the perfect player for this role.
MF: Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain
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Playing as the deepest of the midfielders, Marco Verratti’s job would be to protect the defence, look after the ball and pick out his attacking teammates.
It may have been far too often for the liking of coach Laurent Blanc, but Verratti has been excellent in playing his way out of trouble for Paris Saint-Germain. This trait would be perfect in dealing with any trouble this team were to get in to.
Verratti is also a fantastic passer of the ball, but most importantly he is tenacious and hard-working; perfect for this type of football.
MF: Giannelli Imbula, Olympique De Marseille
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In 6-a-side football you need someone who can do everything and someone who does it for the entire game. Marseille’s Giannelli Imbula is that man.
Standing at 6'1" tall, Imbula’s ranging stride and impressive physique sees him cover an amazing amount of ground during a normal match. On a smaller pitch, Imbula would be everywhere.
His gut-busting runs would see him break through any midfield, and he has also found his scoring boots this season, making him a threat from distance.
FW: Nabil Fekir, Olympique Lyonnais
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As Lyon have climbed the table up to second in Ligue 1, Nabil Fekir has emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Europe.
His style is well suited to playing in a fast-paced 6-a-side game. He has a low centre of gravity, great close control and a fantastic change of direction.
Fekir can also take knocks, too. This season, according to WhoScored.com, he is the most fouled player in the league, but he has only missed games with a shoulder injury. The 21-year-old can take the knocks and continue to attack; everything you need to play and excel in this team.
CF: Dimitar Berbatov, AS Monaco
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For a place at the head of this attack, it was between PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Monaco’s Dimitar Berbatov. Both have the ability to conjure up moments of sublime magic and their control in the box is usually outstanding.
Berbatov takes the spot because of his nonchalant attitude. Every league has those players that patrol the edge of the opposition area, look like they are not trying and never tracking back, but every so often they make a huge difference.
Ibrahimovic has played a much deeper role for PSG lately, so the instincts and style of the Bulgarian master would be much better suited in this team. His deceptive pace on the smaller pitch would make him a deadly opponent.
