Ligue 1 team of the month: PSG dominate as they maintain 100% start

With October now at its end, it’s time to run through the Ligue 1 team of the month. 

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Reims) - 8.21 rating 

Featuring between the sticks in this XI is Reims ace Edouard Mendy, who was instrumental in France’s top tier in October. He made more saves (16) than any other goalkeeper and kept clean sheets in meetings with Nimes and Rennes. Two clean sheets from three appearances and two WhoScored man of the match awards yielded a 8.21 rating. 

Right-back: Bouna Sarr (Marseille) - 7.54 rating 

Occupying the right-back spot is Marseille’s Bouna Sarr, who landed a WhoScored rating of 7.54 in October. Sarr played a key role in wins over Caen and Nice, winning the man of the match award in the latter after providing the assist for Morgan Sanson’s first half winner, while only Youcef Atal (8) completed more dribbles than the Frenchman (7). 

Centre-back: Marquinhos (PSG) - 8.09 rating 

The first of three PSG players to make the cut, Marquinhos was impressive as the champions maintained their 100% start to the league season in back-to-back 5-0 wins over Lyon and Amiens before rounding off the month with a 2-0 Le Classique win over Marseille on Sunday. The Brazilian made the third most accurate passes (186) in Ligue 1 in October and won possession in the defensive third the fourth most times (17) in a notable month for the defender. 

Centre-back: Bjorn Engels (Reims) - 7.37 rating 

Partnering Marquinhos at the back in this XI is Reims man Bjorn Engels, who secured a WhoScored rating of 7.37. He was crucial in two of three clean sheet attaining displays as he made more clearances (25) than any other Ligue 1 player in October. 

Left-back: Lucas Lima (Nantes) - 7.49 rating 

Rounding off the backline is Nantes’ Brazilian full-back Lucas Lima. The 27-year-old started the month off poorly, but ended October on a high as he put in a WhoScored man of the match performance in a 2-1 win over Amiens. He made the second most accurate crosses from open play in Ligue 1 in October, with five, with his solid outings returning a WhoScored rating of 7.49. 

Defensive midfield: Kevin Strootman (Marseille) - 7.50 rating 

He did all he could to help Marseille avoid defeat to PSG at the weekend as Kevin Strootman continued to impress for the Ligue 1 side. No player made more tackles than the Dutchman (15) in October, while six key passes was a commendable return for the player, who returned a WhoScored rating of 7.50. 

Defensive midfield: Mehdi Abeid (Dijon) - 7.24 rating 

Partnering Strootman in the middle of the park is Dijon ace Mehdi Abeid. The Algerian netted his only two league goals of the season last month in meetings with Lille and Monaco, winning the WhoScored man of the match in the defeat to the latter. Six key passes and six successful dribbles saw Abeid return a WhoScored rating of 7.24 to make the cut in this XI. 

Right wing: Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - 8.68 rating 

The best-rated player in Ligue 1 in October, with a WhoScored rating of 8.68, Kylian Mbappe enjoyed a memorable month for all the right reasons. The PSG star scored more goals (6) than any other player in France’s top tier last month, four of which came in a 13-minute spell in a 5-0 win over Lyon. His six goals came from 14 shots, more than any other Ligue 1 player, as he again thrived for the French giants. 

Attacking midfield: Angel Di Maria (PSG) - 8.11 rating 

Rounding off the PSG contingent is Argentine Angel Di Maria, who registered more assists (3) than any other player in Ligue 1 in October. No player made more key passes than Di Maria (10) in France’s top tier last month and it saw the PSG wideman return a WhoScored rating of 8.11. 

Left wing: Jonathan Bamba (Lille) - 7.82 rating 

Nicolas Pepe may be the Lille player attracting all the fanfare, but it’s Jonathan Bamba who is the Les Dogues star to feature in this XI. He scored two and assisted one in October, all of which came in a man of the match outing in a 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne. Six key passes and five successful dribbles helped Bamba gain a WhoScored rating of 7.82, that enough to feature in the best-rated Ligue 1 side in October. 

Striker: Emiliano Sala (Nantes) - 7.74 rating 

Spearheading the attack in this team is Nantes forward Emiliano Sala. His four goals in October was bettered only by Mbappe (6), which included a hat-trick in a man of the match display in a 4-0 win over Toulouse. The 28-year-old hit the back of the net with all four of his shots on target as he gained a WhoScored rating of 7.74.