FC Sochaux-Montbéliard with Alex Stewart

Episode 69,   Jun 03, 2021, 11:01 PM

Ligue 2 is renowned for its reputation as a producer of high-level European talent.

Ibrahima Konaté, Marcus Thuram, Maxence Lacroix, Cédric Bakambu and many others count it as the league which provided them their professional debut.

In fact, it was the same club that provided a first senior platform for those four household names in European football: FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Nestled in the east of France, close to the Swiss border, Sochaux is home to one of the country's best academy setups.

Currently in Ligue 2 after a lengthy top flight stay which ended in 2014, the team are coached by former centre-back Omar Daf, a custodian of the Sochaux culture.

4:55: Joe and Alex's love letter to EURO 2020

13:05: Sochaux - a background

17:38: Omar Daf - manager, mentor custodian and the Sochaux culture

27:11: Sochaux alumni - Konaté, Bakambu, Lacroix, Thuram, lucrative sell-on clauses and the footballing food chain

38:53: Bryan Lasme, nine-goal,  6ft 4in wide target man

49:28: Alan Virginius, 2003-born orthodox winger, good crossing, growing room and rangy skillset

56:09: The mysterious Samy Faraj