Every year, there are players in the French Ligue 1 whose performances for their respective sides lead them in the running for an infamous award that the winner would rather not have in his CV
It’s every player’s dream to one day win the prestigious award named Ballon d’Or. However, in recent years, a certain Argentine who goes by the name of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 star’s performances are head and shoulders above the
rest.
However, there is another award that every player would not want to have in his trophy cabinet (if there’s any). In http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899, writers have called this award as the Ballon de Plomb – a distinction,
given to only those players who have performed so abysmally that no one can come to their defence.
Last season, it was Andre-Pierre Gignac who was France’s favourite Ballon de Plomb choice. However, the France international’s recent performances show that the award served as a wakeup call for the player and turned out to be a case of constructive criticism.
Although in the end, Moussa Maazou won the award, Gignac does not want to get any close to this title in future.
This time again, a few Olympique de Marseille present and former stars have been named in the list. The likes of Morgan Amalfitano, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alou-Diarra-c5259 and Stephane Mbia have been named in the list of poorest of the poorest performers in France this year.
However, before the list is discussed, let’s have a look at winners from the past.
1) http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-c13946 Llacer (2003)
2) Fabrice Fiorese (2004)
3) Benoit Pedretti (2005)
4) Bernard Mendy (2006)
5) http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Matt-Moussilou-c24775 (2007)
6) Frederic Piquionne (2008)
7) Mateja Kezman (2009)
8) http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yohan-Demont-c37425 (2010)
9) Moussa Maazou (2011)
Nominees for 2012 Ballon de Plomb award
In total, there are ten players who would be competing for the infamous award. The list contains all players who played for Ligue 1 sides last season and even those players who have left France for other destinations.
1) http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Morgan-Amalfitano-c26799
Currently still at Olympique de Marseille, the France international had a poor start to life at Stade Velodrome following a dream move from Lorient FC last year. The France international was all over the place in the first half of the campaign and after
so many hiccups, managed to turn things around. Fortunately or unfortunately, Amalfitano will be safe from the award.
Kevin Anin (OGC Nice)
The 26-year-old midfielder is slowly making his way into obscurity after such a promising start to his career at FC Sochaux. Since making a move to OGC Nice in 2011, the midfielder has been unable to break into Claude Puel’s side and would seriously compete
for the award.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775)
So much to promise and little to deliver is what sums up Michael Ciani’s career and Bordeaux. The 28-year-old arrived at Chaban Delmas as a star and left their without any huge coverage. His performances in late 2011 and early 2012 were not good at all as
Francis Gillot chose to keep him on the bench.
Alou Diarra (http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127/ West Ham United)
The France international has been criticised all year long and his performances keep letting him down whether he’s playing in France or in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749.
Yann M’Vila (Stade Rennais)
The midfielder’s fall from grace continues as he is no more an assured presence in the midfield for either Frederic Antonetti’s side or Didier Deschamps’ France from which he has been barred until the 2014 World Cup following his night out with a few friends
ahead of an Under-21 European Championship qualification game.
The holding midfielder is a serious contender for the award and might even win it.
Other players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Modibo-Maiga-c26167 (Sochaux/ West Ham), Stephane Mbia (Olympique de Marseille/QPR)
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