Football Season Guide

Toulouse are back in Ligue 1 after a two-year absence but are coming up looking strong after winning the Ligue 2 title last season. Philippe Montanier formed an exciting team that was capable of devastating offensive feats, scoring an impressive 82 goals over the course of the campaign. Perhaps the only worry for them was that they should have won the title more easily. Back in Ligue 1, they have sought to strengthen their squad, but the framework of the team that excelled last season remains. Toulouse use a strongly data-based approach to their scouting system and that has led them to signing many players from lesser leagues, such as the Eredivisie and from Scandinavia. Using this system, they have unearthed some gems in recent times and will hope to do so again this summer. Centre-forward Thijs Dallinga has arrived from Excelsior to provide competition to Rhys Healey, whose pre-season has been hampered by consistent injury concerns, while Zakaria Aboukhlal has joined from AZ. TFC look extremely well stocked offensively now, with the key men from last season, Nathan Ngoumou and Rafael Ratao, remaining at the club. Branco van den Boomen is their key force in the midfield. He recorded a remarkable number of assists in Ligue 2 last season, in part because he was so strong over set pieces. He is Toulouse’s ace and will be vital to their efforts. Sporting director Damien Comolli has said that defensive solidarity will be vital this season, and to that end he has recruited left-back Oliver Zanden from Elfsborg and goalkeeper Kjetil Haug from Valerenga. Nevertheless, TFC have been far better offensively than defensively in pre-season, which hints that their games will be packed with goals again this term. Certainly, they do not have too many outstanding defensive talents, with Anthony Rouault and Bafode Diakite, two promising starters, set to discover Ligue 1 for the first time. Montanier is an experienced Ligue 1 coach and his knowledge could be key in steering Toulouse to survival.