Domestic-league season · Lyon.
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ligue 1 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 2758 | 7.22 |
 UEFA Europa League | 9 | 1 | 0 | 739 | 6.84 |
 Coupe de France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 7.25 |
 Friendlies Clubs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 6.9 |
Niakhaté's current-season form is up 51% on last season (Season 43→65), while his Rating eased 61→52. That makes this his strongest season for form to date.
| Season | Club | Apps | G | A | Match | RTG | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Lyon · 4th | 32 | 0 | 2 | 7.22 | 52 | 65 |
| 2024/25 | Lyon · 6th | 33 | 0 | 0 | 6.92 | 61 | 43 |
| 2023/24 | Nottingham Forest · 17th | 33 | 1 | 0 | 6.7 | 59 | 17 |
| 2022/23 | Nottingham Forest · 16th | 15 | 0 | 0 | 6.62 | 64 | 16 |
| 2021/22 | FSV Mainz 05 · 8th | 30 | 4 | 0 | 6.89 | 80 | 43 |
| 2020/21 | FSV Mainz 05 · 12th | 32 | 3 | 1 | 6.83 | 79 | 30 |
Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year.
| Competition | Apps | G |
|---|---|---|
| Africa Cup of Nations | 6 | 0 |
| Africa Cup of Nations Qualification | 4 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 0 |
Caps & goals this season.
M. Niakhaté is a 30-year-old central defender at Lyon, rated 51.6 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 234th of 324 in the Ligue 1. An experienced operator, he has been an ever-present this season (95.8% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.81 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Niakhaté.
Judged on this season alone, Niakhaté graded 65 — a standout campaign that ranks top 4% of the 53 centre-backs in the Ligue 1, on 14 clean sheets and 2.806 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 43 → 65). Across the 6 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 52, 37th of 53 of the 53 centre-backs in the Ligue 1. At 30 Niakhaté is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 41.8 reflects that trajectory.
A career still climbing — Niakhaté is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.
2.81 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 14 clean sheets across 32 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (4th 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 0 goals and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
With a Rating of 51.6, Niakhaté carries the 37th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the Ligue 1 of 53. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.81 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1× now → 0.7× 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 (~84), then tapers with age. At 30, Niakhaté sits on 41.8, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Niakhaté's projected Rating — 51.6 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.
