Football Season Guide

Lorient easily avoided relegation last season, with a strong start to the campaign allowing them to secure an impressive top-half finish that had not been forecast when the term began in August. Ligue 1 regulars over the last 20 years, Lorient have often finished around that area, often doing so against the odds. As they do so again, they will have to contend with the loss of striker Terem Moffi, who spent the second half of last season at Nice, where he has signed a permanent deal. More importantly, midfield playmaker Enzo Le Fee has departed for Rennes and Moritz Jenz, who was also loaned out last season last season, has gone to Wolfsburg. Lorient have recorded a large transfer profit and will one again seek to capitalise on smart work in the transfer window. Hooking up with Bournemouth has allowed them to re-sign Romain Faivre on loan to replace Le Fee, while Benjamin Mendy has arrived after a period of off-field difficulties. The left-back could be a match winner for this side. Indeed, their appears to be an attitude that will see Lorient attack from deep this season in the wide areas. Exciting prospect Dembo Sylla has joined up from Laval, where he had a breakthrough season in Ligue 2 last term. It hints towards a 3-5-2, with Amiens’ youngster Formose Mendy coming in to bolster a solid-looking defence. The only addition to the forward line is Aiyegun Tosin, who joins up from FC Zurich, were he scored 12 league goals last season. Bamba Dieng and Ibrahima Kone should ensure that he does not have too much pressure on him, with this pair representing good options. Perhaps the area of weakness could be the midfield. Jean-Victor Makengo, like Dieng in attack, did not reach the heights expected of him last season, but there is greater pressure on him to do so this time around. Bonke Innocent is a solid defensive figure in this area while Laurent Abergel will captain the side but is only a workmanlike player.