Football Season Guide

In the last 2 decades, Troyes have characterized themselves for constantly going up and down between the Ligue 1 and the Ligue 2, rarely spending more than 2 campaigns in any of the two leagues. Therefore, their relegation from the top tier of the French football last season had to be somehow expected. After obtaining mixed results at the beginning, under Bruno Irles, they hired Patrick Kisnorbo and thus stopped winning between early November and May. Kisnorbo, who obtained extraordinary results at Melbourne City, was confirmed at the helm and he is expected to bring Troyes back to the Ligue 1. The transfer campaign was a busy one for Troyes, who saw no less than 15 players leaving, with as many players joining in. Among those who left, key goalie Gallon should not be missed as new arrival Lemaitre, coming from Quevilly, should represent a valid substitute. Then, they lost 3 protagonists at the back in left-back Larouci and starting centre-backs Rami and Salmier. Boura will be the new left-back while talented Ndiaye, who did wonders at Bastia, is expected to tighten an otherwise leaking defence, the worst of the Ligue 1 with 81 goals conceded. In the midfield, Agoume and attacking midfielder Reine-Adelaide returned to their parent clubs but the latter should not be missed as a lot is expected by experienced Diop and Ilic, who is returning after a loan abroad. In the attack, key winger Lopes, 7 goals and 5 assists in his tally, returned to Sevilla but new signing Saiki does not seem to be a valid replacement yet. On the other hand, experienced De Preville, coming off a poor season in Germany, could become a protagonist.