Thauvin: Flying high

Although Olympique Marseille is facing a run of poor form, its French international winger is maintaining his high-flying statistics. He finished last season near the top the scoring charts, earning him a call up by Didier Deschamps for the 2018 World Cup in Russia - where he raised the most prestigious trophy in football. Back with his club, Florian Thauvin has continued his momentum into the current season.

In the league, Thauvin has already scored 11 goals through Matchday 16. He's already bettered last season's total at this same point, where he had only eight goals. With 11 goals this year, he's set a new career best. With 11 goals and 2 assists, he is the most impactful Olympien through the first half of the season (he's been involved in 13 of OM's 29 goals in Ligue 1 Conforama - 45%).

In the Europa League this season, the native of Orleans scored two goals and delivered an assist. He has been involved in 50% of Marseille goals in Europe. And in the 2018 calendar year, he's been involved in 6 goals in his last 7 Europa League appearances (4 goals, 2 assists).

Across all competitions, he is the first Olympien to reach 30 goals in a calendar year since Jean Pierre Papin's 44 goals in 1991, when he won the Ballon d'Or.