Football Season Guide

Lille narrowly missed out on the Champions League spots last season, but had the campaign run its course of 38 matches, they would have stood a decent chance of breaking into the top four given their issues were largely caused by a poor start to the season. Indeed, they won six of their last seven matches. Although they have been sanctioned by UEFA for FFP breaches and will, therefore, have to closely monitor their budget, their project remains in good shape, with the idea being to buy promising young players and sell them on at a profit. That was exemplified by the sale of Victor Osimhen to Napoli, while Gabriel is set to leave for the Premier League in the days ahead. Those who were lost have largely been well replaced, albeit with promise rather than experience. Gabriel’s replacement will be Ajax centre-back Sven Botman, while promising winger Isaac Lihadji has arrived on a free transfer from Marseille – a major coup. Much is thought of young Mexican Eugenio Pizzuto, though it is likely to be too soon for him to play a big role. Star summer arrival is Jonathan David, who may replacement Osimhen in attack, though it could be that he features in an attacking midfield slot, with another forward, possibly Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos, arriving. Experienced Turk Burak Yilmaz takes the place of Loic Remy and has significant boots to fill given Remy finished last term very well. A lack of experience is perhaps the biggest weakness in this squad, which makes the role of captain Jose Fonte in defence a critical one. Equally, in midfield Benjamin Andre will be a key stabilising presence in a team that is expected to be freewheeling in attack. Lille showed last season that when they get a head of steam up, they can be difficult to stop, with canny head coach Christophe Galtier consistently one of the best in France.