A high-profile error in the Coupe de France defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening cannot detract from the marvellous season the 25-year-old is enjoying. Maignan came up through the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, though never made a competitive appearance for the club, leaving for Lille in 2015. Could letting him go end up coming back to haunt the champions?

BETTER THAN NAVAS?

After the capital club's Keylor Navas' goalkeeping masterclass in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie with Barcelona, L'Equipe asked former PSG goalkeeper Bernard Lama for his thoughts. While glowing in his praise for the Costa Rican, Lama commented: "I think Maignan is a bit above the rest in the French game because of the quality of his kicking game and his aerial ability. He's a more attacking goalkeeper. Both goalkeepers are decisive and that's what's asked of them. Without taking anything away from his qualities, Navas is less effective in the departments I mentioned than the Lille goalkeeper."

NEXT IN LINE AFTER LLORIS?

Called up for the first time by France in May 2019 when Steve Mandanda was injured and Hugo Lloris was involved in the Champions League final, Maignan made his Les Bleus debut in October 2020, coming on as a half-time substitute for Mandanda in the 7-1 friendly win over Ukraine. A fixture in the France squad, Maignan's age and ability count in his favour when the time comes for Lloris to step back from the national side. The France captain is 34, Mandanda is 35 and Maignan looks a much brighter long-term prospect than Alphonse Areola, 28, like Maignan a Paris Saint-Germain youth product.

17 GOALS CONCEDED IN 29 LIGUE 1 GAMES

Maignan's dramatic stoppage-time save from Monaco substitute Stevan Jovetic earned the leaders a point and underlined the athletic shot-stopper's value to Les Dogues. Veteran centre-half Jose Fonte has the back line well organised but when opposition forwards do break through they frequently flounder against the athletic Maignan. The goalkeeper is an ever present in the league this season and has helped himself to 16 clean sheets. Lille have conceded two fewer goals than PSG, who have the second best defensive record.

THE MAGIC EAGLE

Nicknamed The Magic Eagle, Maignan joined LOSC in 2015 and is the longest-serving first-team player on the club's books. February's club player of the month is hugely influential at the club, having established himself as the number one goalkeeper in 2017-2018. LOSC's last title win, in 2011, came with Mickaël Landreau in goal and Maignan is a worthy successor to the Ligue 1 appearance record holder.

PENALTY SPECIALIST

Maignan made his early reputation as a penalty-saving specialist, although he's failed to save any of the three penalties he's faced in all competitions this season. Maignan has faced 31 penalties in his first-team career and nine of the kicks have failed to find the back of the net. Four of the saves/misses came in the 2018-2019 Ligue 1 Uber Eats season, when Lille finished second to PSG.