Football Season Guide

Valenciennes were a somewhat surprising package in Ligue 2 last season as they easily avoided relegation. Their success revolved around their mean defensive play, as they scored only 24 goals all season – a tally that was amongst the worst in the league. They were wholly reliant on Teddy Chevalier for goals, with the 33-year-old centre-forward getting 13. Malek Chergui was the only other player to manage more than two. Baptiste Guillaume has, nevertheless, been signed on a free transfer after only netting twice, while Metehan Guclu’s arrival is an interesting prospect given he looked promising at PSG only to see his 2019-20 campaign with Rennes wiped out due to injury. Indeed, while Valenciennes have kept their defence and midfield largely intact. Eric Vandenabeele is the only new addition of note – their reinforcements have come solely in attack. Wingers Arsene Elogo and Moussa Guel should both add a threat that was previously not there, although only the former is proven at this level. Pre-season friendlies have seen Valenciennes as a more prolific side, a good sign for the months ahead. The heart of the midfield has not been an area noted for goals – the central players notched only two last season – and that is likely to be a weakness again this season, although they are steady in that area and possess good depth, with Julien Masson and Sessi D’Almeida probable starters. The defence, which was the stingiest in the league last season, conceding only 20 goals in 28 matches, has been largely untouched, with the exception of Lilian Brassier, who was on loan from Rennes. Eric Vandenabeele has been signed from Grenoble to take his place – a player of a similar standard. Other players who have departed, veteran centre-back Frederic Bong for example, were back-up options.