Football Season Guide

Caen narrowly avoided relegation last season, with a late goal against Paris Saint-Germain securing their survival on the final day of the campaign. Their aim this term will be to have a rather less stressful ride, although they will certainly have to improve upon the form they showed last term when too many of their important players throughout their side were not at their best. If anything, Caen’s squad appears to be weaker going into this season than it was a couple of months ago. Three of their four first-choice centre-backs from last term – Alaeddine Yahia, Jordan Adeoti and Syam Ben Youssef – have departed the club but arriving is only Alexander Djiku who played with relegated Bastia last season. Florian Le Joncour is back from a loan spell in the third tier but, if anything, it seems that Caen are actually weaker in that area of their side. Equally, Frederic Guilbert was formidable down the right for them in a 3-4-3 formation and he has also departed without being apparently replaced. Stef Peeters has come in to bolster the midfield along with Baissama Sankoh, a replacement at Guingamp last season. However, even in the heart of their side Caen appear to be slightly weaker, having lost youngster Jean-Victor Makengo to Nice. They are typically an attacking side under Patrice Garande and at least they remain strong in the forward areas, with striker Ivan Santini a standout last term. Indeed, he performed well above the club's standing and was one of the leading scorers in the league. More is required from the likes of Ronny Rodelin and Herve Bazile, not to mention Julien Feret, who at 35 was disappointing last term. Youngester Yann Karamoh provides a wildcard option with his speed in attack. They do, at least, seem to boast a good deal of firepower, but they need these players to perform if they are to avoid a serious relegation dogfight. A poor start could well see the end of the head coach, with pressure on the board to sack him last term.