France's best?
This article also featured in the 2019 GFFN 100.
Surprise became the norm at Stade Auguste Delaune in 2019. But perhaps more unexpected than Reims’ top 6 charge, inexperienced coach David Guion’s success or an eclectic group of players upsetting the establishment was the continued presence of Yunis Abdelhamid. Having had just one previous, and underwhelming, Ligue 1 season with Dijon in 16/17 Abdelhamid’s development under Guion has been remarkable and remains one of the least talked about but most impressive breakthroughs for a center back across Europe in recent times
Signed on the strength of solid displays with Ligue 2 outfit Valenciennes, Abdelhamid won a promotion of his own in joining Dijon as they followed champions Nancy up to Ligue 1 in Summer 2016. Despite impressing with VAFC as a defensive leader, the Moroccan failed to find a regular place and barely made Olivier Dall'Oglio’s 18 towards the end of the season. Having started the first six league games a poor performance away at PSG, and resulting half time subbing, proved irreparable for his reputation at the club. A second chance as November became December played out in much the same way.
As a result Abdelhamid was forced to back into Ligue 2, Reims and the newly installed David Guion his lifeline. Having struggled for creativity in 17/18 under the famously pragmatic Michel Der Zakarian, only 5 teams scored fewer goals despite finishing 7th, Guion placed his faith in a more vibrant and forward thinking group of players. Alongside emerging forwards such as Remy Oudin, and (latterly) Mathieu Cafaro and Boulaye Dia, that faith that extended to the more experienced Moroccan defender.
Reims were runaway Champions. Abdelhamid, returning to his Valenciennes form, marshaling the league’s best back line, was himself Ligue 2’s standout defender across the campaign. Tellingly, while other experienced stalwarts such as sentinel Denilson da Cruz and winger Diego Rignonato were moved on, Guion retained Abdelhamid for another shot at the top flight.
With previous partner Julian Jeanvier whisked away by Brentford, their pair had made the UNFP Team of the Season together, Belgian center back Bjorn Engels was parachuted in from Olympicakos. Nevertheless, despite different personnel and a higher standard of opposition, little changed for Guion’s defense. Although three teams (the top two: PSG and Lille, plus Nice) conceded fewer goals, still an impressive feat for a promoted side, Reims’ rearguard again proved to be the best in class considering their relative stature.
Expertly drilled and meticulously organised by their coach, the power and intelligence of Abdelhamid and Engels in a stoic, deep sitting team won Reims many of the points that at one stage pushed them toward Europe and eventually 8th place; traditional heavyweights Marseille only 6 points better off come May. Once again Abdelhamid quitely shone as Ligue 1’s best center back (outside Paris) his remarkable consistency helping to maintain Reims’ position despite a slight unbalancing of Guion’s formula after Christmas in the search for a more expansive style.
Adelhamid played every minute of Reims’ league season. Highlights included a practically faultless outing in aiding a clean sheet and nullifying the marauding Ismalia Sarr as Reims won 2-0 at Europa League Rennes, a pair of monolithic defensive displays in taking four points from Lyon - Abdelhamid even steaming forward at Parc OL in search of a late winner, his superb ariel nous shutting out Marseille at the Velodrome while aiding a 2-1 home win in the reverse as well as imperious form in keeping out a gung-ho Nimes and aiding a 1-1 draw away to Nicolas Pepe’s Lille.
To date, Abdelhamid’s 19/20 form has proven just as imposing and equally consistent. Despite the loss of Engels to Aston Villa - some may argue they signed the wrong center back - and the introduction of previously third choice Axel Disasi, at the time of writing Reims have conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1 - just 9 in 16 games.
Although goals are again being scored economically at the other end (only relegation battlers Nimes and Dijon have fewer) Reims are again pushing for a top 6 spot and proving frustratingly obdurate for the bigger sides. A 2-0 win in Paris was not undeserved. For such success they again have their resolute back four and commander-in-chief Abdelhamid to thank. Undoubtedly, 2019 has been Abdelhamid’s career defining year. Taking Ligue 1 this calendar year in isolation, Marquinhos is perhaps the only defender who can claim to be the now 32 year old’s equal, and the Brazilian has been used largely in midfield.
The year, and particularly this season, underline that Abdelhamid’s form and, more importantly, his rapid development. Across Europe, few defenders have matched Abdelhamid’s consistency, leadership, strength and intelligence at the heart of any defense. The Moroccoan has proven that his improved displays are no fluke but he is continually overlooked by bigger clubs, desite forcing his way back into the Morocco squad of late. If three more seasons at this level were to follow for Reims’ under-the-radar star, struggling Lyon, out-of-their-depth Lille and a porous Monaco should reassess the merits of this giant of a defender. They can and have done far worse.
by Adam White
