Football Season Guide

Much was expected of Stephane Dumont’s Guingamp last season, but they failed to deliver. Although they finished sixth in the standings, this was a flattering reflection of their performance, with a fast start and a quick end sandwiching a disappointing middle for a club that has often punched above its size. Dumont has lost quality in his ranks this summer, judging by the transfer business done by the club. Most notably, Jeremy Livolant has been allowed to leave after scoring a precious nine goals and picking up 11 assists last season. He proved he can contribute across the forward line while he regularly captained the side. Tristan Muyumba is another regular starter to be moved on along with left-backs Stephen Quemper and Jules Gaudin. The squad players who have departed were also useful players to have in reserve. Those brought in do not immediately appear to have the same qualities. Lenny Vallier and Amadou Sagna have been signed from relegated Niort, neither of whom particularly stood out in that side,while Guingamp are gambling on 34-year-old creative midfielder Jonathan Iglesias, who arrives from Paris and has, at least, plenty of experience at this level. In goal, meanwhile, Babacar Niasse joins from the second tier of Portuguese football and competes with Florent Duparchy and last season’s regular Enzo Basilio to start. Guingamp have retained much of a defence that was plagued by injuries last season, with Lenny Vallier picking up a serious problem in pre-season to force the club into the market again to sign Abdallah Ndour from Sochaux. Clearly this was not budgeted for and there are already numerous fragile players here. It could pose big problems again. The central areas of midfield, meanwhile, are lacking in depth, while in attack Guingamp will lean on the promising Amine El Ouazzani, who started spectacularly after arriving in January before fading, as well as target man Baptiste Guillaume and veteran Gaetan Courtet, who finished last season in exceptional form.