Toulouse sit 12th in Ligue 1 after the opening 10 games of the season.
It’s been a solid if unspectacular start for the Violets, who are unlikely to be sucked into a relegation dogfight. Equally, a European finish, even at this stage, seems out of the question. Three wins, four draws, three defeats. The inconsistency could prove costly.
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If they are to secure a spot in Europe next season, however, then one player in particular will play a key role.
Cristian Casseres is hardly unknown in France. The Venezuela international made the move across the pond back in 2023. And in that time, he’s been a first team regular for the French giants, too.
Change in responsibility benefitting Casseres
The 26-year-old has taken his game to another level this season, however. And it’s stemmed from a managerial change at the Stadium de Toulouse helm. Former Motherwell head coach Jens Berthel Askou succeeded Carles Martinez Novell for the French side over the summer.
Since taking over, the Dane rejigged the Toulouse midfield to maximise Casseres’ creative qualities. Previously, the Venezuelan was used as a central ball winner. It’s a role he carries out well, as evidenced by a return of 36 tackles, which is more than any other player in France’s top tier this term.
Only two players have won possession in the midfield third more times than the Toulouse star (34). It’s what he does with the ball that stands out, however. The French side are a team that don’t see little of the ball, nor do they dominate, evident by a 51.7% possession average.
Askou tapped into Casseres’ distribution
Casseres, though, is able to help quickly turn defence to attack for Toulouse. Indeed, he’s made more forward passes (290) than any other outfield player in the 2026/27 Ligue 1 campaign. Only Paris Saint-Germain pass master Vitinha (220) has made more successful final third passes than Casseres (204).
Askou took a player who wasn’t exactly miscast under Novell. Rather, he picked out a player who was being underutilised and turned him from a midfielder whose primary duty was to disrupt the rhythm of opponents to one who can pry apart a backline from a central area. He’s the heartbeat of this Toulouse side, and very much enjoying the creative responsibility.
That’s further evident in that no player has created more chances than Casseres (31) in the division. A return of eight clear-cut goalscoring chances created is second to Lens captain Florian Thauvin (10). Six assists is also the second most in Ligue 1. This ability to bring teammates into play has had a positive impact on the team.
Yes, they are drifting in the bottom half of Ligue 1. They would be faring far worse without Casseres’ influence both on and off the ball. It helps considerably that Toulouse are willing to attack at speed and flood the opposition box. As a result, they rank fifth for touches in the opposing penalty area (255) and ninth for shots following a counter attack (12).
Casseres’ consistency key
What’s impressive still is that Casseres is thriving without a regular midfield partner. Be it in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 formation, he’s either lined up alongside Alexis Vossah, Niko Sigur or Niklas Schmidt. Some would have struggled with the inconsistency that stems from struggling to nail down a partner.
On the contrary, Casseres is able to maintain a level of consistency in possession and act as the experienced midfield anchor for Toulouse. Regardless of changes in personnel, 84.6 passes per 90 ranks fourth of those to register at least 500 minutes of game time.
Rather, Casseres isn’t letting the central midfield uncertainty impact his form. It speaks of a player comfortable in his own surroundings, which is to be expected given he penned a new Toulouse contract back in September.
Now, though, Toulouse need to maximise the creative qualities that Casseres is bringing to the team. They’re only averaging 12.6 shots per game in Ligue 1 this season. 15 goals scored ranks eighth. A 3.36 xG underperformance is the eighth largest in the division. With a little more prolificacy, they’ll start to fly up the table.
As Paris FC, spearheaded by Lassine Sinayoko, continue to exceed expectations, PSG lead the way – again – and Marseille recover from a slow start, Casseres’ beginning to the campaign has flown under the radar. Fact is, he’s been one of Ligue 1’s stand out players having built upon a solid three opening years in France.