Football Season Guide

It’s been all change at Lens over the summer, with head coach Will Still notably leaving the club after one year due to personal circumstances. What had been a campaign of transition has therefore rolled into a second season. Pierre Sage has been appointed head coach after a notably strong spell at Lyon that went somewhat underrated. Things at Rennes did not go according to plan for him, but there were difficult external circumstances during his time in Brittany. With the change of coach, there has also come a significant change of personnel in the playing staff. Lens have had to cut back their wages and that has meant that some key players have already left others, such as Andy Diouf, might still depart before the end of the transfer window. Notably, Kevin Danso and Neil Aynaoui have departed for big money, albeit the former has not been at the club since January. It’s been all change in goal, with poised Robin Risser to start after arriving from Strasbourg. It seems a risky move given the lack of experience in this crucial area. The defence has also had a major facelift with leader Facundo Medina leaving for Marseille. Jonathan Gradit’s importance has built, particularly with neither Malang Sarr or Nidal Celik looking strong as replacements. Ismaelo Ganiou has joined up to add competition but is another player still U21. There’s more experience in the wing-back areas, particularly with the arrivals of Matthieu Udol and Saud Abdulhamid. Historically, Lens have been solid in the heart of the midfield but that is no longer the case. They lack depth and the type of dynamic, hard-running, athletic midfielder that has so readily been associated with them in the past. Even in the more advanced areas, there are doubts of the quality of the squad. In attack, a gamble has been taken on Martin Satriano, who missed much of last season due to injury. They lacked quality there last term. He could be an ace, though. Florian Sotoca’s versatility with be a big feature of their play while signing Morgan Guilavogui is one of only two signings over the age of 24. Lens are clearly leaning on youth this season in a change to their project.