Football Season Guide

Following the heroics of Pascal Dupraz's side in 2015-16, when they avoided relegation from a seemingly unassailable position, Toulouse were somewhat disappointed by their 13th place finish last term. Indeed, they finished only four points better off than they had the previous campaign. This time around, they are determined to do better and lift themselves into the mid-table positions that have characterised them over the last decade. Over the course of the summer, they have seen a good deal of deadwood depart their side. While they can be pleased with the value they got for top scorer Martin Braithwaite – a reasonable striker but a figure who was not nearly reliable enough in front of goal and much too streaky. A greater loss will be playmaker Oscar Trejo, who is the only other player of true value they have seen depart. Equally, though, they have not added significantly to their squad. Corentin Jean has been signed permanently from Monaco while Yaya Sanogo, who has had his career to date decimated by injury, arrives on a free transfer from Arsenal. Getting him fit and confident will be key but he hardly has the reputation of having a dead eye in front of goal. Tough-tackling midfielder Yannick Cahuzac has also joined up on a free transfer from Bastia but the coach will want him to keep his temper in check while the return from a loan of Zinedine Machach is interesting, too, even though he flopped spectacularly at Marseille. Finally, Toulouse had hoped to shore up their defence with the arrival of Steven Fortes but he has suffered a serious knee ligament injury and will not be able to feature until March, reports suggest. Issa Diop and Christopher Jullien are two highly promising young defenders though whilst Alban Lafont will aim to develop further in goal after a largely successful first full season. Elsewhere in the side, there is a lack of depth in the midfield and Jimmy Durmaz struggled in the second half of last term. More is needed from Ola Toivonen in attack, though given the Swede’s track record it is unlikely to come while Andy Delort has a strong reputation as a finisher.