Meet Ligue 1’s best kept attacking secret
Evan guessand.
The 23-year-old forward from Nice has been flying under the radar, but this season he’s fully announced himself and has started to receive the attention his ability warrants. He’s quick, skilful, and strong, and plays the game with a kind of chaos that defenders absolutely hate dealing with.
Guessand isn’t really a typical striker. He’s not glued to the box or stuck out wide – he floats between the lines, loves picking the ball up in the space between midfield and defence, and just goes. He’s rapid, can twist through tight spaces like a winger, and has the strength to bounce off centre-backs while doing it. He reminds me a lot of Nico Jackson, but with better ball-striking and a much better weak foot. The Ivorian is also an aerial threat – capable of generating serious power on headers from standing starts.
With 12 goals and 8 assists in 38 appearances this season, Guessand is easily having his best season yet output wise. He’s scored 11 goals from an xG of 8.8 that suggests he is a strong finisher, although he doesn’t take as many shots as I’d like him to - but then again he isn’t an out-and-out number 9 so is rarely in the positions to generate good chances
Tactically, he’s been used in a fluid role this season – often playing off the striker in a system that mirrors Manchester United’s setup under Amorim, operating behind the number 9 in a 3-4-2-1 formation. This gives him freedom to do what he does best: pick the ball up on the move and attack. While he could be moulded into a more traditional striker, that might actually limit his biggest strengths. His instincts in the box are solid, but he’s at his most dangerous when the game is open and transitional – which is why the Premier League feels like such a natural fit with the direction it’s heading in.
Defensively, he’s a standout. Guessand ranks in the top 1% of forwards across Europe for tackles won and interceptions – a testament to his work rate and willingness to press. In an era where off-the-ball effort is non-negotiable, that’s a massive plus. On the other hand, Guessand’s eagerness to run with the ball can sometimes cause more harm than good. He’s dispossessed quite a bit because of the eagerness to run with the ball and his decision-making around the box could do with some work. But he’s not meant to be the finished product yet so that’s alright.
Man United and Spurs are rumoured to already have an interest in him but I am skeptical he’d be the right fit for the Red Devils. Amorim likes a more traditional target man and Guessand certainly isn’t that. I think he’d suit a side like Arsenal more as I could definitely see him in the role Havertz currently takes up - as a facilitator with the ability to run channels and finish chances. If anything, I’d go as far as saying he would be an upgrade on Havertz.
He’s currently creating more shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (0.81) with the ball at his feet than the likes of Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, and even Ousmane Dembélé. That’s elite company.
I am slightly worried, a club like United signs Guessand and misuses him – pushing him out to the touchline or asking him to play with his back to goal. That would be a waste. Used correctly, though, Evan Guessand could be one of the most exciting attacking imports from Ligue 1 in years – and further proof that France continues to be Europe’s most productive talent factory.
Remember the name.
