Makhtar N'DIAYE

Under the charm of Makhtar N’Diaye’s technical ability, Le Guen unearthed a jewel from the Academy system in the Summer of 1999, and invited him to take part in the entire pre-season programme that year. After appearances against the Austrians of Lustenau and Vienna in the Intertoto Cup, the Senegalese midfielder was really launched on the big stage in the last half-hour of the home game against Juventus (2-2 draw). After missing out on the beginning of the league championship season, N’Diaye finally got his chance on matchday 10 against Sedan in a 5-0 win. Named in the starting line-up as a link player instead of the disappointing Bassila, he scored his first goal for the club from a direct free-kick, aged just 17. In the 2000/2001 season, Echouafni blocked his progress, but he found some game-time during Le Roux’s absence. Over time, however, he struggled to maintain the impetus of his early career, and ended up being pushed from pillar to post, between the First Team, Reserves and being loaned out. N’Diaye terminated his contract in 2005 to sign for Yverdon in Switzerland.