It was hardly surprising that newly crowned champions Lille featured heavily in the end-of-season awards on Sunday. Rudi Garcia won the gong for best coach, Eden Hazard top performer, and four LOSC players were named in the team of the season, as voted for by members of the French players' union (UNFP).

"The players know what they're talking about," said Garcia when asked about the merits of Hazard's victory. Maybe so, but I'm going to question them anyway!

The precocious Belgian has certainly emerged as the most talented player in France this term, and while he only scored seven goals, they were nearly all decisive strikes. I won't argue with that choice but I'm not entirely convinced by the rest of the team of the season.

Not entirely convinced

Taye Taiwo, for example, has spent periods on the Marseille bench, while both Yann M'Vila and Nenê suffered alarming dips in form in the second half of the season. Are there no more deserving (and perhaps less hyped-up) players? It is of course all about opinions, so I'll throw my hat into the ring with an 'Alternative XI' that excludes all members of the UNFP team. Here are the guys who have really caught my eye:

Goalkeeper: Stéphane Ruffier (Monaco)

If his team-mates had shown half as much passion and determination as Ruffier, Monaco would surely not be in the bottom three with one game to play. He is blessed with terrific reflexes, his decision-making is improving, but it is the 24-year-old captain's character and leadership that stand out for me.

Right-back: Mathieu Debuchy (Lille)

I am amazed Debuchy was pipped in the UNFP team by Anthony Réveillère. Laurent Blanc has also preferred the Lyon full-back this term, but I think Debuchy deserves his chance with Les Bleus. His energy and tenacity have been crucial for Lille. The way he surged on to Moussa Sow's far post cross and volleyed home at Lorient - as the entire defence stopped, assuming the ball was going out - says much about his heart and determination.

Centre-back: Bruno Ecuele Manga (Lorient)

The powerful Gabon international has been one of the signings of the season. He cost Christian Gourcuff just €2.5m from Ligue 2 side Angers but has done a fine job of filling the void left by of Laurent Koscielny and Sylvain Marchal. After the likes of Koscielny and Ciani, Lorient look to have uncovered another strong stopper destined for bigger things.

Centre-back: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Montpellier)

Already effective at right-back last season, Yanga-Mbiwa has taken his game to a new level since moving in to the middle. At 1m84 (6'0), he is not especially tall for a centre-half but he has good spring and is quick on the turn. The 22-year-old's biggest asset is his footballing brain: he reads the game well and is often in the right place at the right time.

Left-back: Jérémy Morel (Lorient)

It is hardly surprising that Morel fits into the Lorient system so well: he came through the youth academy, has been carefully nurtured by Christian Gourcuff, and is now in his ninth season as a first-teamer. The dynamic 27-year-old never hoofs the ball - always looking to pass out of defence before opting to bomb forward - and is a vital cog in a finely tuned machine.

Central midfield: Rio Mavuba (Lille)

Adil Rami thinks Lille should give Rio Mavuba a contract that runs until he is 40. Unless Michel Seydoux is still drunk on last weekend's celebration that's unlikely to happen, but like Rami, I believe the Lille captain is one of the most underrated players in France. A genuine team man, Mavuba does nothing spectacular but is extremely effective, scuttling rapidly across the entire midfield area, winning countless balls and playing both quickly and simply.

Central midfield: André Ayew (Marseille)

He has played left wing, right wing, left midfield, central midfield and centre forward this season - and has been excellent in every position. Ayew wants to play in the middle of the park, though, and that's where I would put him. The Ghanaian's attitude is always spot on: he works tirelessly and covers many a kilometre. So even when his dribbling and shooting aren't coming off he still contributes a lot. That said, he is becoming more and more decisive in the final third and is reportedly attracting the attentions of a certain Catalan club.

Right wing: Dimitri Payet (Saint-Etienne) 

Payet's season took a turn for the worse after his move to PSG fell through at the end of January, but he deserves his place for his incredible start to the season and for continuing to work hard in the final weeks despite losing his starting place. The winger's stunning form propelled Les Verts to the top in September, lifting the spirits of an entire town. His wonderful free-kick, which secured a famous victory in the 100th derby against Lyon, will live long in the memory.

Attacking midfield: Marvin Martin (Sochaux)

Another surprising omission from the UNFP team, Martin's quick-thinking and passing ability have been a joy to watch. With 17 assists so far, he has been much more prolific than last season's 'best passer' Lucho Gonzalez (11), or previous leading creators Michel Bastos (9) and Samir Nasri (10). Sochaux's willingness to attack has been a breath of fresh air, with Martin's near faultless distribution THE key factor in the club's success. 

Left wing: Franck Tabanou (Toulouse)

Technically excellent, Tabanou has come on leaps and bounds since making the left-wing position his own this season. Capable of dribbling past opponents, picking out killer passes and shooting from long range, things tend to happen when he has the ball. His stunning strike into the top corner at Saint-Etienne was as good as anything I have seen this season – if he continues to improve at the same rate Tabanou will be one of the stars of Ligue 1.

Striker: Olivier Giroud (Montpellier)

Ok, he only scored 12 goals, but how many would he have got playing alongside Eden Hazard and Gervinho? Giroud has been excellent in his first Ligue 1 campaign, despite being isolated for long periods at the tip of Montpellier's cautious 4-5-1 formation. Strong in the air and deadly with his left foot, the 24-year-old has made the most of the chances he has had. It would be great to see him receive more support - at Montpellier or elsewhere - next season.

OFFICIAL UNFP TEAM OF THE SEASON:

Steve Mandanda (Marseille); Anthony Réveillère (Lyon), Adil Rami (Lille), Mamadou Sakho (PSG), Taye Taiwo (Marseille); Yann M'Vila (Rennes); Gervinho (Lille), Eden Hazard (Lille), Nenê (PSG); Moussa Sow (Lille), Kévin Gameiro (Lorient).

>> UNFP Awards: Garcia, Hazard take top gongs

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