Domestic-league season · Saint Etienne.
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ligue 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 927 | 7.33 |
 Ligue 1at Stade Brestois 29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 327 | 6.92 |
 Coupe de Franceat Stade Brestois 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4.5 |
Following his move to Saint Etienne, Cardinal's current-season form is level with last season (Season 32→33), while his Rating eased 62→45. His peak season for form remains 2021/22 (Season 49).
| Season | Club | Apps | G | A | Match | RTG | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Saint Etienne · 3rd | 11 | 1 | 0 | 7.33 | 45 | 33 |
| 2024/25 | Stade Brestois 29 · 9th | 16 | 0 | 1 | 7.03 | 62 | 32 |
| 2023/24 | Stade Brestois 29 · 3rd | 14 | 0 | 0 | 6.91 | 64 | 18 |
| 2022/23 | Paris FC · 7th | 13 | 1 | 0 | 7.04 | 54 | 27 |
| 2021/22 | Bastia · 12th | 31 | 2 | 2 | 7.09 | 61 | 49 |
| 2020/21 | Bastia · 1st | 24 | 1 | 0 | — | 41 | 17 |
Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year.
J. Le Cardinal is a 28-year-old central defender at Saint Etienne, rated 44.9 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 223rd of 321 in the Ligue 2. An experienced operator, he has been a regular starter this season (60.6% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.62 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Cardinal.
Judged on this season alone, Cardinal graded 33 — a strong campaign that ranks top 19% of the 64 centre-backs in the Ligue 2, on 4 clean sheets and 2.621 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 32 → 33). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2021/22.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 45, 41st of 64 of the 64 centre-backs in the Ligue 2. At 28 Cardinal is in his prime years, and a market index of 28 reflects that trajectory.
Below his 2021/22 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.
2.62 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 4 clean sheets across 11 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (3rd of 18) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
With a Rating of 44.9, Cardinal carries the 41st-highest potential of the centre-backs in the Ligue 2 of 64 — though on just 11 appearances this season, so the standing rests on a small sample. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.62 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.2× now → 0.9× projected in three years).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~47), then tapers with age. At 28, Cardinal sits on 28, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Cardinal's projected Rating — 44.9 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.
No transfer news found for this player.
