Football Season Guide

Monaco stumbled their way to third place in Ligue 1 last season but are aiming for a more convincing display this time around. Indeed, the future of coach Leonardo Jardim, which was under question at the end of last term, very much depends upon it. After a scattergun approach in the transfer market a year ago, the club appears to have learned its lesson this time around. To some extent they have been handcuffed financially by the return of Radamel Falcao from his loan spell, but the Colombian has looked sharp in front of goal since coming back to Stade Louis II following two ill-fated years in England. Equally, Monaco have recalled Valere Germain to their panel after exiling him to Nice last season. The striker sparkled there and scored twice as Fenerbahce were defeated in Champions League qualifying. This pairing may not be conventional, but they could be very, very effective given chances. Work has been done to the defence, which was understaffed last season. More depth has been added to that area of the team and more youth has been brought to it too. Nevertheless, it remains a point of concern for Jardim – ironic given that a year ago this was thought to be the outstanding strength of his panel. Kamel Glik’s arrival should bolster the heart of the rearguard, where Ricardo Carvalho continues to look in fine fettle having recently become a European champion with Porto. In the full-back slots, meanwhile, Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibe both look like additions that will allow them to challenge once more for a Champions League berth. Nevertheless, Monaco’s ambitions do not seem to currently stretch further than that as there has been no talk of a real star arriving. Jardim, however, has plenty of excellent tools at his disposal. Last season his problem was putting them together effectively, and that will be his test this time around too. That will decide the extent to which Monaco challenge.