Born in Salon-de-Provence in the south of France on January 18, 2009, Mathis Chambon is a right-footed player who plays as a right-back. Having kicked his first balls in small towns in the south of France, notably in Balaruc and Sète, he joined Montpellier HSC in 2018, then only 9 years old. This season, the right-back was a starter in the National U19 championship and in the Coupe Gambardella, a very good season for the young Montpellier side who finished 4th in their league group and reached the Cup final, losing to the young Parisians. On the international stage, Chambon already has 11 caps with the France U17 team and was the starter on the right flank during this 2026 U17 Euro.

A small-sized player, measuring barely 1.70 m and relatively slight, Chambon is nevertheless endowed with a truly remarkable work rate, with repeated up-and-down runs on his flank. Right-footed, therefore, with good passing quality, the full-back is not lacking with his weaker foot, not hesitating to use it to cross in particular. The small full-back is a real ball of energy, very agile, with the ability to change direction with pace, to accelerate in a few steps, and reach a high top speed. These physical attributes largely compensate for his shortcomings in terms of power and aerial play.

In defensive phases, Chambon makes use of his qualities to make interceptions by stepping in front of his opponents thanks to his explosiveness, and the same applies to duels with wingers, where his speed and reaction time give him a definite advantage. The Frenchman showed himself capable of making quality tackles to regain possession.

It is actually in attacking phases that Chambon’s qualities are most highlighted. With his significant work rate, the full-back multiplies offensive runs and provides a constant threat on his right side, with a particularly interesting crossing ability. These crosses often find the right area in the opposition box, with powerful curling deliveries that are difficult to defend. The variety in Chambon’s crosses brings its share of doubt to defenders: lofted crosses, driven crosses across the face of goal, cut-backs. The decisions made by the young Frenchman in the final third are often the right ones and are far from random. To deliver these crosses, the Montpellier player is capable of beating his direct opponent, most often not by simply going around them, and sometimes even with dribbles worthy of wingers.

Among his many forward runs, I found particularly interesting his vertical runs towards the opposition goal, initiated from along the touchline, whether with or without the ball, direct runs into the heart of the game creating imbalances and spaces for his teammates to exploit.

From a tactical standpoint, Mathis Chambon was very important for the young French side, with his work rate and his impact on the game. With his current qualities, I find that his profile could be interesting in the future, either in his current role as a full-back or wing-back, of course, but also as a pressing winger if he manages to add a more incisive touch to his central incursions, with, among other things, a more developed attraction towards goal.

Decisive in big matches (1 assist in the semi-final of the U17 Euro and 1 assist in the Coupe Gambardella final), Mathis Chambon seems capable of raising his level of play and taking responsibility in key moments, the hallmark of certain great champions.

After this fine season at youth level, the next step for the Provence native will be to experience the professional world. A prospect that seems close within Montpellier HSC, with the probable departures of the current right-backs in the squad, and the club’s budget restrictions for the transfer market. Perhaps a few minutes in Ligue 2 as early as next season for Mathis Chambon?