Football Season Guide

After six successive seasons in the top flight, Guingamp find themselves back in Ligue 2, having finished rock bottom last term. In hindsight, they probably suffered from sacking Antoine Kombouare too soon, although their recruitment was poor and left them in a difficult position throughout. It was inevitable that they would lose key attacking players such as Marcus Thuram and Marcus Coco over the course of the summer months, although the former’s transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach has not actually been completed yet. Indeed, Guingamp have managed to retain much of the squad that was relegated last term, though probably too many players for the liking of coach Patrice Lair, whose successful past in women’s football has led him to replace Jocelyn Gourvennec in the hotseat at Stade du Roudourou. The consequence is that they still have a rather bulky squad with too many of the men who failed them last year, although on paper they should be good enough to mount a serious challenge for a return to Ligue 1. New additions are rare and restricted to left-sided pairing Bryan Pele and Morgan Poaty, who were both with Troyes last season, and former Rodez defensive midfielder Jeremy Mellot. Additionally, players such as Yannis Salibur, Nathael Julan and Sikou Niakate have returned from loan deals and could add to the team. Guingamp have a Ligue 1-standard defence, with Marc-Aurele Caillard in goal and plenty of good options at centre-back in front of him. While these players were guilty of individual lapses at key times last season, there is plenty of experience in this sector and it should be a strength for EAG going forward. The midfield should prove formidable through the middle, while winger Mehdi Merghem was excellent at the end of last season when he started to be drafted into the team on a more regular basis. Nolan Roux proved a flop in attack but has shown in the past if he is given chances he will score.