Football Season Guide

Troyes will play a second successive season in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2006-07. They have spent the last 20 years being a yo-yo club but now, under the ownership of the City Football Group, their ambition is to have greater stability in French football’s top flight. While last season’s 15th placed finish was welcome, it offers few guarantees for what will to come this term. Sacking Laurent Batlles in January was not a ploy that worked particularly well last season, with Bruno Irles struggling to get the best from this team. Troyes’ owners demand that their team plays with a possession-based approach, yet there has been little thrilling in Irles’ play since taking charge. It is something that he could come under pressure over, even if the results are seemingly good. Troyes’ squad does not appear to be any stronger than it was last season. Giulian Biancone has been sold to Nottingham Forest in England and Jimmy Giraudon has departed to Saint-Etienne, meaning they have lost a very experienced campaigner. Meanwhile, a raft of fringe players have departed, trimming down the big squad and making it more manageable for the coach to deal with. Savio appeared to be an exciting signing from Brazil, but within a week he was punted on loan to PSV. The only recruits of note liable to be contending for serious first-team minutes as Jackson Porozo and Andreas Bruus, who come to strengthen the defence from Boavista and Brondby respectively. Troyes still look short offensively. Ike Ugbo impressed last season but has not has had his loan extended from Genk. Yoann Touzghar is a striker yet to shine in Ligue 1, and it is in attack where they look like they are lacking. The midfield is a solid area of the team, with several strong and experienced performers in that sector. In defence, meanwhile, look for veteran Adil Rami to have a big role to play after arriving midway through last season. Irles will hope that he is given more support to bring players in, but those who arrived from Man City last summer were universally disappointing. Troyes could use more.