Hello football fans across the globe. I hope you all are having a great summer and that you are spending it wisely, somewhere on the beach or in a nice swimming pool!!! Now, while you are enjoying the summer break, many things have happened here at your favorite sports website www.getmoresports.com. Namely, the Zen Master of Get More Sports “Ej The Rainmaker” and his supporting cast have been very busy over the summer with the GMS App that is now available at the Google Play Store, which means that We are ready to reach out to the global audience through a more enjoyable platform. With only a few clicks you can download the App to your Smartphone, laptop or some other electronic device and read the latest sports news wherever you go.
Anyways, let me get back to the football. I know that you are ready for the new football season to start, trust me, I am too! No, I am not counting the endless Europa League and Champions League qualifying rounds. I am talking about the Top European football leagues. Although most of the top European leagues start in few weeks, there is one football league that belongs to the Top 5 that will kick-off soon.
Namely, in just a few days, the French Ligue 1 will start the 2017/18 league campaign, kicking off in Monaco on August 4th, where the 2016/17 champions will host Toulouse. Three new teams will be joining Ligue 1, as Strasbourg (Ligue 2 champions), Amiens (Ligue 2 runner-up) and Troyes (winner of the relegation play-off against Lorient) will be replacing Bastia, Nancy and Lorient.
The Ligue 1 has recently gained the reputation of being a selling league, but for good reasons as some of the best young talent in the world are displaying their skills across the French football stadiums. While we will try to give you some heads up on the transfers and most notable news from the Top 5 European Football Leagues in the coming days, today we will be focus solely on the Ligue 1 and highlight the transfers of each team in the Ligue 1, while also giving some early predictions on the outcome of the Ligue 1 2016/17 season.
SC AMIENS
Key Transfers
The promotees have not invested heavily this year, with the most notable acquisitions being the 2 centre backs, Prince-Désir Gouano and veteran Mathieu Bodmer, suggesting that they will be relying on strong defence this year. After being promoted on just 56 goals scored in Ligue 2 last season, their lack of investment in attack may make them even more likely candidates for the relegation.
Arrivals
Jean-Christophe Bouet (free from USL Dunkerque), Mathieu Bodmer (free from EA Guingamp), Issa Cissokho (free from Genoa), Prince-Désir Gouano (free from Atalanta), Sékou Baradji (free), Madih Talal (free from France Angers SCO), Gaël Kakuta (free from China Hebei China Fortune), Jean-Luc Dompé (on loan from Belgium Standard Liège), Brighton Labeau (free from AS Monaco)
Departures
Joachim Eickmayer (free to France Les Herbiers), Junior Tallo (loan return to France Lille OSC), Richard Soumah (free to Israel Maccabi Petah Tikva), Jordan Lefort (free on loan to France US Quevilly-Rouen), Matthieu Fontaine (free to France Red Star FC), Alioune Ba (free to France Stade Lavallois)
ANGERS SCO
Key transfers
France U21 International Enzo Crivelli joined the team from Bordeaux after scoring 10 goals in Ligue 1 last year. He has been brought in to replace the goals of Famara Diédhiou who has left for Bristol City. Angers will be content with their business so far this summer and look prepared for another mid-table finish.
Arrivals
Enzo Crivelli (€4 mill from France Girondins de Bordeaux), Wilfried Kanga (free from Paris Saint-Germain), Lassana Coulibaly (€2 mill.from France SC Bastia), Saliou Ciss (free from Valenciennes FC), Baptiste Guillaume (€2 mill.from France Lille OSC), Loïc Puyo (free from AS Nancy), Angelo Fulgini (€1.4 mill.from Valenciennes FC), Goran Karanović (loan return from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard)
Departures
Kévin Bérigaud (loan return to Montpellier HSC), Famara Diedhiou (€6 mill. to Bristol City), Dickson Nwakaeme (free agent), Yoane Wissa (on loan to AC Ajaccio), Cheikh N’Doye (free to Birmingham City), Nicolas Pépé (€10 mill. to Lille OSC), Pablo Martinez (unknown fee to RC Strasbourg), Jonathan Bamba (loan return to AS Saint-Etienne), Fodé Doré (on loan to Clermont Foot), Issa Cissokho (loan return to Genoa), Gabriel Mutombo (on loan to France US Orléans), Mathias Serin (on loan to France USL Dunkerque), Madih Talal (to Angers SCO), Jamel Saihi (free agent)
FC GIRONDINS de BORDEAUX
Key Transfers
Bordeaux made a great addition to their squad in goalkeeper Benoit Costil, who will surely demand the no. 1 jersey. However, they have made some noticeable forward line losses in Adam Ounas, Enzo Crivelli and Jérémy Ménez, and I am personally not convinced that they have sufficiently replaced their goals to equal last season’s 6th placed finish in Ligue 1.
Arrivals
Benoît Costil (free from Stade Rennes), Vukašin Jovanović (€6 mill. from Zenit St Petersburg), Alexandre Mendy (€600 th. from EA Guingamp), Lukas Lerager (€3.5 mill. from Zulte Waregem), Youssouf Sabaly (€6 mill. from Paris Saint-Germain, previously on loan), Frédéric Guilbert (loan return from France SM Caen)
Departures
Cédric Carrasso (Free to Unknown), Jérémy Ménez (€1.5 mill. to Antalyaspor), Isaac Kiese Thelin (on loan to Anderlecht), Abdou Traoré (free agent), Adam Ounas (€10 mill. to Napoli), Nicolas Maurice-Belay (free agent), Paul Bernardoni (on loan to Clermont Foot), Cédric Yambéré (€500 th. to Dijon FCO), Kevin Soni (free to Girona), Enzo Crivelli (€4 mill. to France Angers SCO), Pablo (€3.5 mill. to Corinthians)
SM CAEN
Key Transfers
After finishing just 1 point above the relegation zone in Ligue 1, proper investment was needed and expected, especially in the attack after scoring just 36 goals. The opposite has happened as no forwards have come in thus far, with the most notable additions being the centre-back Alexander Djiku and the centre-midfielder Stef Peeters; neither are goal-scorers. Serious relegation candidates.
Arrivals
Alexander Djiku (€2 mill. from SC Bastia), Baissama Sankoh (€500 th. from EA Guingamp), Stef Peeters (€1.5 mill. from Sint-Truidense VV), Adama Mbengue (free from Diambars FC), Christian Kouakou (loan return from Nîmes Olympique), Jordan Nkololo (loan return from Stade Lavallois), Brice Samba (free from Olympique de Marseille)
Departures
Nicolas Seube (retired), Jordan Adeoti (free to AJ Auxerre), Steed Malbranque (retired), Syam Ben Youssef (free to Kasımpaşa), Jean-Victor Makengo (€5 mill. to OGC Nice), Chaker Alhadhur (on loan to La Berrichonne de Châteauroux), Pape Sané (on loan to AJ Auxerre), Frédéric Guilbert (loan return to Girondins de Bordeaux), Paul Reulet (on loan to US Boulogne), Christopher Operi (to La Berrichonne de Châteauroux), Exauce Ngassaki (to Stade Brestois).
FCO DIJON
Key Transfers
FCO Dijons is another team that finished 1 point above the relegation line in Ligue 1 last season. They have been significantly weakened by the departures of Loïs Diony and Pierre Lees-Melou. They´ve gone some way with the signing of Benjamin Jeannot from FC Lorient and will be hoping he can hit the ground running and help them survive once again.
Arrivals
Wesley Lautoa (€1.5 mill. from France FC Lorient), Wesley Said (€1.5 mill. from Stade Rennais), Cédric Yambéré (€500th. fromFC Girondins de Bordeaux) , Eden Massouema (free from France Paris FC), Benjamin Jeannot (Unknown fee from FC Lorient), Naïm Sliti (on loan from France Lille OSC), Mamadou Thiam (loan return from Clermont Foot)
Departures
Jordan Lotiès (freeto Belgium KAS Eupen), Yohann Rivière (free agent), Pierre Lees-Melou (€4 mill. to OGC Nice), Loïs Diony (€10 mill. to France AS Saint-Etienne), Marvin Martin (loan return to Lille OSC), Yunis Abdelhamid (Unknown fee to Stade de Reims), Enzo Basilio (on loan to Rodez AF), Guillaume Sarrabayrouse (on loan to US Colomiers), Charly Dutournier (on loan to US Avranches), Pierre Lees Melou (€4 mill. to OGC Nice).
EA GUINGAMP
Key Transfers
After a 10th place finish in Ligue 1 last season, Guingamp has been happy to keep their business low-key this summer, with centre-midfielder Lebogang Phiri from Brøndby IF one acquisition to look out for.
Arrivals
Pedro Rebocho (unknown fee from SL Benfica), Abdoul Camara (free from Derby County), Marc-Aurèle Caillard (unknown fee from Clermont Foot), Lebogang Phiri (free from Brøndby IF), Felix Eboa Eboa (unknown fee from Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (unknown fee from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard), Cheikh Traoré (unknown fee from La Berrichonne de Châteauroux)
Departures
Marçal (loan return to SL Benfica), Baissama Sankoh (€500 th. to SM Caen), Dorian Lévêque (free to PAOK FC), Alexandre Mendy (€600 th. to Girondins de Bordeaux), Nill De Pauw (€350 th. to Zulte Waregem), Théo Guivarch (on loan to US Concarneau), Mathieu Bodmer (free to Amiens SC), Johnny Placide, Cheikh Traoré (on loan to La Berrichonne de Châteauroux), Jérémy Livolant (on loan to US Boulogne).
LOSC LILLE
Key Transfers
After a disappointing 11th place finish last season in the Ligue 1, Lille look eager to reclaim their European spot with relative big transfer fees being spent; especially on young Brazilian men. Thiago Maia and Luiz Araújo, 20 and 21 years old respectively, are interesting signings who have the potential to set the French Ligue 1 alight. Despite positive movements, a lot of young signings and the departure of 2 key players in Soualiho Meïté and Sébastien Corchia may mean the Lille faithful will have to be patient in moving back to the European positions.
Arrivals
Kevin Malcuit (€9 mill. from AS Saint-Etienne), Xeka (€5mill. from SC Braga), Ezequiel Ponce (on loan from AS Roma), Luiz Araújo (€10.5 mill. from São Paulo FC), Nicolas de Préville (unknown fee from KV Oostende), Edgar Ié (€5.5 mill. from Belenenses), Nicolas Pépé (€10 mill. from Angers SCO), Thiago Mendes (€9 mill. from São Paulo), Fodé Ballo-Touré (free from Paris Saint-Germain), Kouakou Hervé Koffi (unknown fee from ASEC Mimosas), Caju (on loan from Santos), Kouadio-Yves Dabila (free from AS Monaco), Thiago Maia (€14 mill. from Santos), Chahreddine Boukholda (free from AS Monaco), Lenny Nangis (loan return from SC Bastia)
Departures
Soualiho Meïté (€5.1 mill. to Zulte Waregem),Sébastien Corchia (€5 mill. to Sevilla FC), Youssouf Koné (on loan to Stade de Reims), Gabriel Magalhães (on loan to France ES Troyes AC), Ricardo Kishna (loan return to Lazio), Stoppila Sunzu (on loan to Arsenal Tula), Rony Lopes (loan return to AS Monaco), Franck Beria (retired), Rio Mavuba (free to Sparta Prague), Naïm Sliti (on loan to Dijon FCO), Jean Butez (on loan to Royal Excel Mouscron), Alexis Araujo (on loan to Gazélec Ajaccio), Valentin Vanbaleghem (on loan to France Les Herbiers VF), Baptiste Guillaume (€2 mill. to France Angers SCO), Lebo Mothiba (free to France Valenciennes FC).
OLYMPIQUE LYON
Key Transfers
Lyon has made some interesting signings this summer, particularly in Bertrand Traoré from Chelsea and Mariano Díaz from Real Madrid. However they are yet to replace 3 key midfield players in Corentin Tolisso, Mathieu Valbuena and Maxime Gonalons, as well as losing Lacazette’s plethora of goals. Without these key players they are unlikely to make any progress in the Ligue 1 season this year and will miss out on the Champions League spot once again.
Arrivals
Marcelo (€7 mill. from Beşiktaş), Clément Grenier (loan return from AS Roma), Bertrand Traoré (€10 mill. from Chelsea), Mariano Díaz (€8 mill. from Real Madrid), Marçal (€4.5 mill. from SL Benfica), Ferland Mendy (€5 mill. from Havre AC), Kenny Tete (€4 mill. from Ajax), Romain Del Castillo (loan return from France FC Bourg-Péronnas)
Departures
Corentin Tolisso (€41.5 mill. to Bayern Munich), Alexandre Lacazette (€53 mill. to Arsenal), Rachid Ghezzal (free agent), Christophe Jallet (free to OGC Nice), Jean-Philippe Mateta (on loan to Havre AC), Maxime Gonalons (€5 mill. to AS Roma), Gaëtan Perrin (on loan to US Orléans), Jordy Gaspar (free to Monaco), Aldo Kalulu (on loan to FC Sochaux), Mathieu Valbuena (€1.5 mill. to Fenerbahçe), Maciej Rybus (€1.75 mill. to Lokomotiv Moscow), Olivier Kemen (on loan to Gazélec Ajaccio).
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE
Key Transfers
5th Placed Marseille has had a great window so far by getting rid of some deadwood and adding quality to their team by signing back Mandanda and adding steel and experience in defending duties with Adil Rami and Luiz Gustavo. The biggest transfer for Marseille has been securing Florian Thauvin on a permanent transfer, who scored 15 goals in the Ligue 1 last season and is destined to carry on his success.
Arrivals
Lucas Ocampos (loan return from AC Milan), Valère Germain (€8 mill. from AS Monaco), Luiz Gustavo (€10 mill. from VfL Wolfsburg), Adil Rami (€6 mill. from Sevilla), Florian Thauvin (€11 mill. from Newcastle United), Steve Mandanda (€3 mill. from Crystal Palace), Clinton N´Jie (€7 mill. to Tottenham Spurs)
Departures
Karim Rekik (€2.5 mill. to Hertha BSC), Abou Diaby (free agent), Brice Samba (free to SM Caen), Bafetimbi Gomis (loan return to Swansea City), William Vainqueur (loan return to AS Roma), Aaron Leya Iseka (loan return to RSC Anderlecht), Zinedine Machach (loan return to Toulouse FC), Antoine Rabillard (free to AS Béziers), Julien Fabri (free to Stade Brestois), Baptiste Aloé (free to Valenciennes FC), Stéphane Sparagna (free to Boavista FC).
FC METZ
Key Transfers
Last year’s 14th finish is probably as good as it gets for this group of players. Metz has lost some key attackers in Mevlüt Erdinçand and Cheick Diabaté, but have attempted to replace them with Nolan Roux. A lower finish in the Ligue 1 is likely this season, but they may just have enough to stay up.
Arrivals
Gerónimo Poblete (free from CA Colón), Nolan Roux (unknown fee from AS Saint-Etienne), Habib Diallo (loan return from Stade Brestois), Moussa Niakhate (unknown fee from Valenciennes FC), Quentin Beunardeau (free from AFC Tubize), Ibrahima Niane (unknown fee from Génération Foot)
Departures
Guido Milán (free to Veracruz), Mevlüt Erdinç (loan return to Hannover 96), Franck Signorino (free agent), Georges Mandjeck (€1.3 mill. to Sparta Prague), Cheick Diabaté (loan return to Osmanlispor), David Oberhauser (free to Platanias), Hamza Sakhi (on loan to AJ Auxerre).
AS MONACO
Key Transfers
Monaco had a fantastic season, winning the Ligue 1 with 95 points and reaching the semi-final in the Champions League. However, with every peak there is a trough, and Premier League clubs cherry picking of players like Bakayoko, Mendy and Bernado Silva, with more rumored to leave, could kick-start their dip. Monaco, as it currently stands, still has enormous quality and has made some quality additions in the centre-midfielder Youri Tielemans and centre-back Terence Kongolo. Perhaps Monaco’s most important business this summer will be holding on to their remaining key players, in particular Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappé who have been linked with moves away.
Arrivals
Terence Kongolo (€15 mill. from Feyenoord), Rony Lopes (loan return from Lille OSC), Allan Saint-Maximin (loan return from SC Bastia), Diego Benaglio (free from Wolfsburg), Youri Tielemans (€25 mill. from Anderlecht), Soualiho Meïté (€8 mill. from SV Zulte-Waregem), Jordi Mboula (€3 mill. from FC Barcelona), Adama Traoré (loan return from Rio Ave), Jordy Gaspar (free from Lyon), Youssef Aït Bennasser (loan return from AS Nancy), Lacina Traoré (loan return from Sporting de Gijón)
Departures
Benjamin Mendy (€57.5 mill. to Manchester City), Nabil Dirar (€3.5 mill. to Fenerbahçe), Bernardo Silva (€50 mill. to Manchester City), Tiemoué Bakayoko (€40 mill. to Chelsea), Valère Germain (€8 mill. to Olympique de Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (on loan to Sivasspor), Abdou Diallo (€5 mill. to Mainz 05), Irvin Cardona (on loan to Cercle Brugge), Jordy Gaspar (on loan to Cercle Brugge), Jonathan Mexique (on loan to Cercle Brugge), Tristan Muyumba (on loan to Cercle Brugge), Ruben Vinagre (on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers), Corentin Jean (€3.5 mill. to Toulouse FC)
HSC MONTPELLIER
Key Transfers
Montpellier will be hoping to better their 39 points total from last season, despite losing top scorer Steve Mounié. They’ve made a decent replacement for Mounié with the signing of Giovanni Sio, as well as a strong goalkeeper in Benjamin Lecomte. They could be ranked higher in this Ligue 1 campaign.
Arrivals
Ruben Aguilar (free from AJ Auxerre), Pedro Mendes (€1 mill. from Stade Rennais), Jonathan Ikoné (on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Kévin Bérigaud (loan return from Angers SCO), Giovanni Sio (€2.2 mill. from Stade Rennais), Jérémie Porsan-Clemente (free from Olympique de Marseille), Benjamin Lecomte (€2.5 mill. from FC Lorient)
Departures
Mamadou N’Diaye (free to US Avranches), Yacouba Sylla (loan return to Stade Rennais), Joris Marveaux (free to France Gazélec Ajaccio), Steve Mounié (€13 mill. to Huddersfield Town), Geoffrey Jourdren (free to AS Nancy), Mathieu Deplagne (unknown fee to ES Troyes AC)
FC NANTES
Key Transfers
Nantes has had a poor summer so far, with only 2 youthful low-key signings joining the squad and losing players such as attacking-midfielder Amine Harit and number 1 goalkeeper Rémy Riou, without proper replacement. Fortunately for Nantes they have a top manager in Claudio Ranieri who has managed to keep together most of the group of their players who finished 7th last season in the Ligue 1.
Arrivals
Chidozie Awaziem (on loan from FC Porto), Joris Kayembe (unknown fee from Portugal FC Porto)
Departures
Rémy Riou (€1 mill. to Alanyaspor), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (free to ES Troyes AC), Amine Harit (€8 mill. to Schalke 04), Sergio Oliveira (loan return to FC Porto), Fernando Aristeguieta (free to Caracas FC)
OGC NICE
Key Transfers
The one to watch for Nice is the 19 year-old Jean-Victor Makengo. The U17 European Championship winner will hope to add steel to the Nice midfield which will be invaluable if they qualify for the Champions League. Without any major transfers coming in, they would do very well to maintain their 3rd spot in Ligue 1, and will look to bring in another centre-back before the window closes to help them repeat their success of last season.
Arrivals
Adrien Tameze (€800th. from Valenciennes FC), Pierre Lees-Melou (€4 mill. from Dijon FCO), Christophe Jallet (free from Olympique Lyonnais), Jean-Victor Makengo (€5 mill. from SM Caen)
Departures
Mouez Hassen (on loan to La Berrichonne de Châteauroux), Paul Baysse (free to Málaga), Younès Belhanda (loan return to Dynamo Kyiv), Ricardo Pereira (loan return to FC Porto), Anastasios Donis (loan return to Juventus), Alexy Bosetti (free agent), Saïd Benrahma (on loan to La Berrichonne de Châteauroux), Dorian Caddy (free to US Quevilly-Rouen), Franck Honorat (free to Clermont Foot)
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Key Transfers
PSG seem less than satisfied with their transfers so far, demonstrated through their late transfer window onslaught for the likes of superstars Neymar and Alexis Sanchez, in an effort to join the elite clubs. Below the surface, the 2015-16 league winners have made solid signings in wing-back positions, with Yuri Berchiche and the world-class Dani Alves joining the team, while also managing to hold onto their key players which will be key in the coming season.
Arrivals
Yuri Berchiche (€16 mill. from Real Sociedad), Jesé (loan return from Las Palmas), Dani Alves (free from Juventus)
Departures
Maxwell (retired), Jean-Kévin Augustin (€13 mill. to RB Leipzig), Salvatore Sirigu (to Torino), Youssouf Sabaly (to Girondins de Bordeaux), Jonathan Ikoné (on loan to Montpellier HSC), Gaëtan Robail (on loan to Cercle Brugge), Jean-Christophe Bahebeck (on loan to FC Lugano)
STADE RENNAIS FC
The Brittany club has made some strange noises this window, one example is the signing of 18 year-old left-back Faitout Maouassa for €7 million Euros, who has only made 14 appearances in the Ligue 1. Relying on your scouting network and spending heavily on promising young defenders is all well and good until you notice that Rennes scored just 36 goals last season, the joint third lowest in the league. Rennes must invest in attack if they wish to stay safe this season.
Arrivals
Kermit Erasmus (loan return from RC Lens), Abdoulaye Diallo (loan return from RC Lens from Rizespor), Hamari Traoré (€2.4 mill. from Stade de Reims), Faitout Maouassa (€7 mill. from AS Nancy), Benjamin Bourigeaud (€3.5 mill. from RC Lens), Brandon Thomas (€3 mill. from RCD Mallorca), Jordan Tell (free from SM Caen), Anthony Ribelin (loan return from Paris FC)
Departures
Benoît Costil (free to Girondins de Bordeaux), Pedro Mendes (€1 mill. to Montpellier HSC), Gélson Fernandes (€500th. to Eintracht Frankfurt), Wesley Said (€1.5 mill. to Dijon FCO), Giovanni Sio (€2.2 mill. to Montpellier HSC), Aldo Kalulu (loan return to Olympique Lyonnais), Ermir Lenjani (free agent), Sylvain Armand (retired), Denis Will Poha (on loan to US Orléans)
AS SAINT- ÉTIENNE
Key Transfers
Keep an eye on the new centre-forward Loïs Diony from Dijon who should finish the season with at least 10 goals. Saint-Étienne has lost a few players in other areas of the pitch but are still expected finish in a similar position to the last Ligue 1 campagne.
Arrivals
Loïs Diony (€10 mill. from Dijon FCO), Jonathan Bamba (loan return from Angers SCO), Saidy Janko (unknown fee from Celtic), Jorginho (€1 mill. from Arouca)
Departures
Pierre-Yves Polomat (on loan to France AJ Auxerre), Benjamin Corgnet (free to RC Strasbourg), Nolan Roux (unknown fee to FC Metz), Henri Saivet (loan return to Newcastle United), Fabien Lemoine (€1 mill. to FC Lorient), Kevin Malcuit (€9 mill. to France Lille OSC), Neal Maupay (€2 mill. to Brentford)
RC STRASBOURG ALSACE
Key Transfers
The new centre-midfielder Jonas Martin, who was signed from Real Betis, will bring his experience from his 107 Ligue 1 caps with HSC Monptellier and hope it can help Strasbourg stay afloat after being promoted through winning Ligue 2 last season. Still, let’s not beat around the bush here, it will take a small miracle for Strasbourg to survive.
Arrivals
Pablo Martinez (unknown fee from Angers SCO), Benjamin Corgnet (free from AS Saint-Etienne), Kenny Lala (free from RC Lens), Nuno da Costa (unknown fee from Valenciennes FC), Bingourou Kamara (€700 th. from Tours FC), Idriss Saadi (€1.5 mill. from Cardiff City)
Departures
Baptiste Guillaume (loan return to Lille OSC), Laurent Dos Santos (free to Valenciennes FC), Felipe Saad (free to FC Lorient), Khalid Boutaib (free to Yeni Malatyaspor), Abdelhak Belhameur (free to US Avranches), Hicham Benkaid (free to US Orléans), Massiré Kanté (free to FC Martigues)
FC TOULOUSE
Key Transfers
One thing this team needs more of is goals, after scoring just 37 contributing to a 13th place finish last season in the Ligue 1. Unfortunately for Toulouse, they’ve lost a big chunk of goals through the loss of Martin Braithwaite to Middlesbrough. To replace these goals they’ve entrusted themselves in Yaya Sanogo, who will hope to relight his career after a disappointing spell at Arsenal. Sanago has raw talent and his performance as top scorer and winner in the under-20 World cup in 2013 should not be forgotten; injuries are the only obstacle for the French 24 year-old and possibly Toulouse´s Ligue 1 status.
Arrivals
Corentin Jean (€3.5 mill. from AS Monaco), Zinedine Machach (loan return from Olympique de Marseille), Steven Fortes (free from Havre AC), Yaya Sanogo (free from Arsenal)
Departures
Yrondu Musavu-King (loan return to Udinese), Tongo Doumbia (€800 th. to Dinamo Zagreb), Dodi Lukebakio (loan return to RSC Anderlecht), Martin Braithwaite (€11.3 mill. to Middlesbrough), Oscar Trejo (free to Rayo Vallecano), Pantxi Sirieix (retired), Uroš Spajić (unknown fee to RSC Anderlecht), Odsonne Edouard (loan return to Paris Saint-Germain), Dušan Veškovac (free agent), Jessy Pi (on loan to Stade Brestois), Dominik Furman (€150 th. to Wisla Plock), Aleksandar Pešić (€750 th. to Red Star Belgrade)
ES TROYES AC
Key Transfers
Troyes, who qualified to the Ligue 1 through promotion play-offs, will be hoping on an improvement on their 2015-16 Ligue 1 performance when they finished rock bottom with just 18 points to their name. New defensive-midfielder François Bellugou will be hoping to plug any holes left in defense to prevent goals. Avoiding relegation will take a lot of luck and perseverance.
Arrivals
Gabriel Magalhães (on loan from Lille OSC), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (free from FC Nantes), Bryan Pelé (free from Stade Brestois), Mathieu Deplagne (unknown fee from Montpellier HSC), François Bellugou (unknown fee from FC Lorient)
Departures
Johan Martial (unknown fee to Maccabi Petah Tikva), Rincón (free agent), Thiago Xavier (free to Valenciennes FC), Mahamadou N’Diaye (free agent)
Season 2017/2018 Final Ligue 1 Rankings Prediction
I don’t believe any clubs outside of the top 5 have made enough positive movements in the summer window to mount any serious kind of challenge, neither for the Ligue 1 title or the European spots. Therefore it would be a surprise if any of the other 15 clubs in Ligue 1 took a top 5 position, and the 5 teams of Monaco, PSG, Nice, Lyon & Marseille should remain, albeit minor position changes between themselves.
Nice seems to have stagnated this summer, and I see them dropping from Champions League spot into the 5th spot. Meanwhile Lyon, who had lost some major players this season, still has the quality to remain in 4th position with talents like Memphis Depay, Nabil Fekir and Anthony Lopes carrying the torch.
Marseille has had the best transfer window so far and look strong across the pitch, this will see them move into the 3rd and that coveted Champions League spot; they’re just a world-class striker away from a title challenge. The team who possibly has had the most challenging summer is the last season winners Monaco, who has had some key players torn away from them. Monaco could still mount a title challenge if they manage to hold onto the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Thomas Lemar and Fabinho, but are still more likely to finish 2nd with a weaker side.
That leaves Paris Saint-Germain who I´ve picked as the Ligue 1 winners this year as they look to keep the ship steady by holding onto all of their key players, while avoiding a potentially destabilizing influx of players. PSG´s title credentials could also be enforced by the additions of Alexis Sanchez or Neymar, although I wouldn’t place any bets on these transfers.
The relegated teams this year will be SC Amiens, RC Strasbourg Alsace, SM Caen. The first two sides simply haven’t made sufficient strong additions to maintain Ligue 1 status, while their counterparts ES Troyes AC could just as easily go down. SM Caen on the other hand have made terrible business this year, failing to add goals to last year’s low tally.
