Football Season Guide

Marseille are in the midst of a significant squad-building project that they hope can lead to them challenging Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco consistently at the top of the Ligue 1 standings. This saw them sign Dimitri Payet in January and he became a leader of the team. The latest chapter of their project has taken place over this summer and it appears that they are not yet finished, with rumours that Moussa Dembele of Celtic could join the club. Certainly, after losing out on Bafetimbi Gomis, their top scorer last season, to Galatasaray after his loan deal expired, they could use some genuine competition in attack. Clinton N’Jie remains as they were obliged to sign him when his loan deal ended but he was poor last season. On the other hand, Valere Germain has looked sharp in pre-season after arriving from Monaco and will finally get a well-deserved chance to establish himself as a regular at this level – something that he richly deserves. Otherwise, the signings that have been made are with a view to improving the defensive aspects of their game. Luiz Gustavo is the biggest name to arrive, signing from Wolfsburg. His arrival was largely because the club have been unable to broker a deal with William Vainqueur who impressed last season. In the defence French veterans Adil Rami and Steve Mandanda have been added, the latter returning to the club after an ill-fated spell in England with Crystal Palace. One bit of business that may have flown under the radar is that OM have successfully signed very highly rated youngster Boubacar Kamara to professional terms and it would be little surprise to see him slowly involved in the first team this season. Marseille worked with a pitifully small squad for much of last season, and while there has been an effort to bring more depth to the side, they have not been afraid to cut away a good deal of deadwood in their ranks. Indeed, this should free up space for more additions over August.