The revelations from the Ligue 2 season

We enter the home stretch of this Ligue 2, version 2022/2023. Le Havre is about to find the elite, as the battle rages behind. Bordeaux (2nd), Sochaux (3rd), Metz (4th) and Bastia (5th) are on just 5 points. Even Caen (6th) and Grenoble (7th) have yet to say their last words although they are a bit further (7 and 9 points respectively from the Girondins). There will be only one selected after HAC. As a reminder, the championship has adjusted to the 4 runs. There will be no playoffs. While waiting to hear the verdict on the championship, it's time to present these revelations from the season, which should be talked about during the next transfer window.

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Arouna Sangante, defender, 20, Le Havre

If the leader also has the best defense in Ligue 2 (14 goals conceded in 28 games), he owes it largely to Arouna Sangante. The young element has definitely forced itself into this hinge, even becoming indispensable in Luka Elsner's eyes. It is very simple, apart from the match in Amiens where he was absent, he participated in every minute of his team (27 matches). And even when he made a big mistake against Laval, it was he who scored the winning goal. Proof that he has the ability to bounce back quickly. The Senegalese has also scored three goals this season. Under contract until 2025, the one who trained partly at Red Star before heading to Normandy will next target being called up by Aliou Cissé's A's.

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Amir Richardson, midfielder, 21, Le Havre

Eventually, the slender midfielder (1m95) gains weight. Recruited last summer by Stade de Reims and then loaned to their training club, he confirms the good minds interviewed last season with Paul Le Guen but better. Linked with captain Victor Lekhal and another revelation of the Championship, young Yassine Kechta, the French-American-Moroccan confirmed his status as a starter (22 times in 26 league games), adding another dimension in passing. It must be said that his positioning has changed on the ground. Less focused on defensive tasks, he can project himself more forward and it shows in the statistics as he already has 3 goals and 4 assists. A taste of what he can show in Ligue 1 next year.

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Dilane Bakwa, winger, 20, Bordeaux

Bordeaux are launched in this intense race to find Ligue 1 and can count on the young winger to take him there. He didn't quite experience the horror of last season when he made rare appearances. The mind was therefore quite fresh before attacking this exercise and it was quickly seen. The left winger can play on both sides and is the most decisive player aged 20 or under in the Championship (5 goals and 5 assists in 26 games. He still lacks consistency and concentration, but his activity and his ability to eliminate made a very good for The Girondins.His name even appeared in the Lorient side this winter to replace Dango Ouattara.The press mentioned a €12M check but Bakwa stayed well within his training club.A taste of this summer.

Junior Mwanga, centre-back/midfielder, 19, Bordeaux

Almost not seen last year during the black season of the Girondins (1 match), the defender has revealed himself this year. David Guion immediately trusted him by installing it in his central hinge. Strong in duels despite his not so impressive size (1m84), he also knows how to handle the ball. Although he experienced a bit of a slump during the fall, Junior Mwanga still found France's U20 squad thanks to his performances. Another strong point to put to his credit, his versatility. Replaced in midfield during the resumption in December, he adapted very well. Issouf Sissokho's return from injury has taken him down a notch to come back better in the last three games. Aware of having to count on him for the future, the scapular club extended it until 2026 last month.

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Georges Mikautadze, striker, 22, FC Metz

He is the X-factor for FC Metz this season. The author of 14 goals in 28 league games, which allows him to occupy the spot as the top goalscorer in Ligue 2 with Jean-Philippe Krasso, the Georgia international confirms his progress. The striker is even in good form since competitions resumed after the World Cup. He is a continuation of what he showed during his two loans to Seraing in Belgium, first in the 2nd division (19 goals) two years ago, then in the Jupier Pro League (9 goals) this year. The native of Lyon even has 7 assists (best passer in the championship), proof that he is not just a goalscorer. With him in their ranks, the Grenats could get something big at the end of the season, which would allow Mikautadze to finally discover Ligue 1 over time.

Kevin van den Kerkhof, right back, 27 years old, Bastia

This is undoubtedly the biggest surprise in this Ligue 2 championship this season. The full-back, who was not retained by Lorient at the age of 20, went back to the amateur club Feignies (the club has since changed its name, Entente Feignies-Aulnoye) in his homeland in the north, then Belgium (4th division at La Louvière and Olympique de Charleroi in the 3rd division) and Luxembourg (Dudelange) to finally discover the professional world in France. It is Bastia who comes to get him and where he explodes at this level, aged 27. Undisputed holder (26 times out of 28 matches, in which he participated in all), the player even has 4 goals and 5 assists, impressive statistics for a side that has very good defensive qualities. His progress and his carefree attitude opened the doors to the Algerian team for him, where he has just been called up by Djamel Belmadi.

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Formose Mendy, centre-back, 22 years old, Amiens

The Picard club is having a rather disappointing season, but can boast of having some promising elements in their staff. Apart from the very young George Ilenikhena, goalscorer at just 16 years and 150 days in January, Formose Mendy has become the head of defence. After a promising, but somewhat erratic first season, the Senegalese has gained consistency, while also experiencing some slumps. His performances earned him a call-up to the WC. Although he has not played a single minute in Qatar, he is gradually establishing himself in Aliou Cissé's squad. The transfer window has probably turned him upside down a bit, he who was quoted on the side of West Ham, Monaco or even Reims this winter. There is no doubt that his departure is looming this summer.

Moïse Sahi Dion, striker, 21, Annecy

He is also not unknown as he has already made a few appearances in Ligue 1 and even a goal against PSG in April 2021 with Strasbourg. On loan from Racing, the striker is getting playing time and experience with Annecy, who are having a fantastic season. 12 goals in 27 Ligue 2 games and 5 Coupe de France performances later, the ‘Malian Messi', a nickname that has dogged him since his debut in Bamako, is showing his qualities as a finisher. Since the competition resumed at the end of December, he is even the top scorer in the championship (9 goals in this period) with an excellent success rate (one goal for every 2 shots). His return to Alsace next summer will be good for Strasbourg and will be an opportunity to take some personal revenge as a long injury last year hastened his demotion.