Football Season Guide

Saint-Etienne endured a miserable campaign in 2019-20, highlighted only by the Coupe de la Ligue final against Paris Saint-Germain, and Claude Puel’s men are approaching the new campaign in a state of flux. After losing 10 of the last 14 Ligue 1 games last term – plunging from fifth down to 16th in the process – Puel has elected to cut many previously influential players from his squad. Stephane Ruffier, Yann M’Vila, Ryad Boudebouz and Wahbi Khazri are set to play no role this season, despite previously figuring as key points in the team. It is a high-risk approach from Puel, whose side were uninspiring last term. Equally, the signings that Saint-Etienne have made are bold. Striker Jean-Philippe Krasso has arrived from third-tier Epinal, Yvan Neyou has joined from Braga’s B team while Adil Aouchiche, whose addition is a major coup given his prospects in the game, was PSG’s big hope at playmaker. Still, the lack of experience they have added is startling, particularly given they have lost two of their big defensive players in the form of Loic Perrin and William Saliba, neither of whom has yet been replaced. On that front, at least they have made a coherent decision to re-sign Timothee Kolodziejczak after his loan from Tigres expired. Jessy Moulin will start the campaign in goal, despite being of the standard of a second-choice keeper, while young centre-back Wesley Fofana, who has performed well in the first team, is set to have a big burden placed upon him. Much is also expected of veteran full-back Mathieu Debuchy. The midfield is chronically lacking in experience – there is not a player over 23 among their pre-season group – although there is plenty of talent there. Zaydou Youssouf is one to watch, while Neyou showed positive signs on debut against PSG. Going forward, winger Denis Bouanga is the key man, though he has been subject to transfer speculation. Romain Hamouma will be expected to find a better level than last season, though at 33, perhaps his time as a pivotal player is up. Meanwhile, there is no obvious goal scorer in the side, with Charles Abi young and still raw, and Krasso untested. There are still some very big question marks in this side.