PROFILE | Age prevents Benjamin André’s worth being recognised

Age is often a determining factor when assessing a player’s worth. Many think young players with raw ability should explode into Ballon d’Or contenders any day, while the potential of players in the second half of their twenties is readily written off. This is, usually, naive. And Lille midfielder Benjamin André is proof.

Potential is a speculative concept, it generates hype and, often wildly, inflates value. Evidence of such an implied worth is, by its very nature, thin. Although the potential of players under 23 is feverishly discussed, it’s dismissed when assessing anyone over 25. In an age when most clubs invest heavily in analytics and ways in which to maximize their resources, it’s a surprise the usefulness of “older” players hasn’t been exploited more.

The resale value of younger players is of course a major factor but genuine on-field success breeds praise, interest and income regardless of a side’s age profile. Chelsea’s recent, and so far failed, attempts to build more of a stock portfolio than a football team shows some sort of balance is needed as does the late blossoming of club great Frank Lampard. Lampard didn’t make his Chelsea debut until the age of 23, having developed in a more conducive environment at West Ham.

Recent Ligue 1 history is full of players who have developed in a similarly considered manner only to be undervalued once into their mid-to-late-twenties. Former Nice and Montpellier striker Andy Delort’s early career meandered through Wigan and Tours before a breakthrough season with Caen as he turned 24. Montpellier talisman Teji Savanier only made his Ligue 1 debut at 26 but quickly became one of the league’s premier performers. Rennes forward Martin Terrier didn’t truly find form until his