Football Season Guide

Reims are a side that have thrived on consistency over the past couple of season, which saw them first win promotion from Ligue 2 with a record points tally then establish themselves comfortably in the top flight. As such, it should come as little surprise that nothing much has changed for the Champagne outfit over the course of the summer. Centre-back Bjorn Engels has been sold to Aston Villa at a substantial profit, while veteran attacker Pablo Chavarria has been allowed to sign for Mallorca, but dramatic changes have not taken place. Indeed, there are only four new faces in the first-team ranks, three of which are goalkeepers and none of these are liable to be first pick, although Edouard Mendy, who had an exceptional season last time out, is struggling with an injury picked up on international duty this summer. The only outfielder to join up, meanwhile, is midfielder Marshall Munetsi from Orlando Pirates. He is unlikely to break into the starting XI. Reims, then, look thoroughly predictable heading into the new season, with as much as 10 of the 11 first-choice players from last season retained. They will lean primarily on their defence, though, with Yunis Abdelhamid set to be the leader of the back four after an unexpectedly strong campaign last time out. They do, however, have an excellent selection of attacking midfielders – one that should be considered the envy of far stronger sides. Mathieu Cafaro, Arber Zeneli and Moussa Doumbia are all highly capable players, yet it was Remi Oudin who was the star last season. Centre forward may be an area of concern, though it is a role Oudin could play. Grejohn Kyei could be given the responsibility after a season on loan at Lens, backed up by youngster Boulaye Dia, who had a good first season in the top flight.