Eliesse Ben Seghir is fast developing into AS Monaco's most influential player at the tender age of 18. What else is there to know about the talented attacking midfielder?
Ben Seghir pulled the strings as the principality side beat RC Strasbourg Alsace 4-3 on Sunday, having a hand in Vanderson's opener before scoring himself to bring his season tally up to four goals from 11 games.
With Breel Embolo injured, academy graduate Ben Seghir was given the nod in the final third alongside Wissam Ben Yedder and ahead of Kevin Volland and Takumi Minamino.
On current form, it looks like he should be given the No.10 role full-time.
Back story:
Eliesse Ben Seghir was born in Saint-Tropez to parents of Moroccan extraction on 16 February 2003, the younger brother of Salim, who now plays for Vanciennes FC on loan from Olympique de Marseille.
The pair grew up close and Salim even persuaded OGC Nice to give Eliesse a trial when he was in their youth academy. They did, but failed to sign him due to his physical stature - or lack thereof.
Instead the younger Ben Saghir returned to amateur football for a year before Monaco picked him up, and he has fast shown Nice the folly of their decision with his technique and vision, playing himself into Lionel Rouxel's France under-18 squad.
Style of play:
Ben Seghir is an attacking midfielder who tended to line up on the left in his academy career but has increasingly been used as a No.10 by Philippe Clement for the first team.
He received an average of nine progressive passes per game, which is testament to his ability to find space between the lines.
Ben Seghir loves a step-over and selling his marker with his quick feet and feints, but he also has a penchant for finding the top corner from range, making him an exciting player indeed.
Current campaign:
Monaco handed Ben Seghir is Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut at AJ Auxerre in December, and to say he seized his chance would be gross understatement.
Ben Seghir replaced Ben Yedder at half-time with the score at 1-1, and duly hit two goals to fire them to a 3-2 win. At 17 year, 10 months and 13 days of age, he was the second-youngest player after a certain Thierry Henry to score a brace for Monaco.
Ben Seghir's 10 league games since have all been starts. He has now scored against Auxerre home and away - alongside the strike against Strasbourg - and assisted Ben Yedder for the third goal as Monaco stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-1 win in Round 23.
Watch: Highlights of Monaco's 3-2 win over Auxerre
What they said:
"It's not a surprise for me because he show very good things in training. We're a team that gives young players a chance. Eliesse is only 17 but when you prove so much in training sessions, age doesn't matter."
- Clement after Ben Seghir's Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut.
"I'm absolutely not surprised. He's a player who's not afraid to try and who takes responsibility. We're very happy to have a youngster like that because with this talent he has he can get us out of difficult situations."
- Chelsea loanee Malang Sarr on Ben Seghir's breakthrough.
