Football Season Guide

After avoiding relegation last season only via a playoff, Dijon will be eager not to cut things so fine this time around, though their task looks harder than ever. In a thrilling two-match series, they edged Lens 3-1 last term but have been weakened over the course of the summer months, losing both depth and quality from their ranks. The most notable player to depart is flying full-back Valentin Rosier, though the impact of his departure may not be quite as evident as he missed the second half of last season through injury. Still, he was one of their best players from right-back. Additionally, all-action midfielder Mehdi Abeid has gone to Nantes on a free transfer and will be sorely missed. He was another key figure in their side. A string of important fringe players have also departed, with Chang-hyun Kwon moving to Freiburg, Sory Kaba going to Midtjylland after a flop spell and Cedric Yambere moving to Saudi Arabia. It has left the club with a significant rebuilding job. In terms of players coming in, there has not been enough movement yet to suggest they have negated the damage. No right-back has arrived at all, while the signing of Didier Ndong from Guingamp to replace Abeid is one that is likely to prove a downgrade. Centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga has joined up from Cardiff but is not a player who is going to improve a leaky defence much, while the other additions are Bryan Soumare from lower league side Saint-Quentin and Mama Balde, who comes from Sporting CP’s youth ranks. Rookie coach Stephane Jobard, who was an assistant at the club last season, has few reasons for much positivity, with his squad having almost wholly been off form last season. Offensively, Wesley Said and Naim Sliti should be important figures, though neither is especially reliable, while in midfield youngster Enzo Loiodice may be given a greater role. The defence, though, still looks very fragile.