Football Season Guide

Troyes narrowly missed out on promotion last season, making an excellent charge in the second half of the campaign before coming up short in the playoffs. Their aim this time around is to go one better. Head coach Rui Almeida departed for Caen in the summer, leaving Laurent Batlles to take over what is his first senior post after three years in charge of Saint-Etienne’s reserves. Improving on the Portuguese’s performance since January, though, promises to be a difficult challenge for the rookie. Troyes’ squad has seen a significant turnover of players over the summer months. While they have lost few undisputed starters, they have seen a high proportion of squad players depart. This should have freed up some significant wages but that has yet to be reflected in the manner they have signed. Yoann Salmier arriving on a permanent deal from Strasbourg is certainly a big boost, while the rearguard is also aided by the signing of Gautier Gallon from Orleans. He has been more reliable than Mamadou Samassa over the past couple of seasons. Christopher Martins Pereira’s loan has not been extended from Lyon, leaving a big void to fill in the midfield, with Eden Massouema and Rui Pires arriving from Dijon and Porto B with the intention of doing so. Neither is proven at this standard, with the former failing to impress at Valenciennes last term. It is in the attacking areas that Troyes look especially short of depth, though. While experienced campaigners Stephane Darbion and Benjamin Nivet have left after performing bit-part roles last season, only Maxime Barthelme has arrived. With Bryan Mbuemo, Kevin Fortune and Yoan Touzghar all available, the front line of Troyes’ attack is not lacking but beyond these players they are without proven quality at this standard and are likely to have to lean on green youngsters. It is a risky strategy.