Football Season Guide

Valenciennes are once again expected to struggle in Ligue 2, having finished 14th last time out. The northern side have not finished in the top 10 since being relegated from Ligue 1 four years ago, with the financial difficulties that they have suffered meaning that they are still toiling going into the new campaign. Their transfer activity this summer has seen head coach Faruk Hadzibegic once again lose some key members of his squad, including promising youngsters Angelo Fulgini and Adrien Tameze from his midfield. Top scorer Nuno Da Costa and Saliou Ciss, a revelation and regular scorer last season, have both departed, while Edouard Butin has also gone. Valenciennes will have a major issue finding the net as a result, particularly as the only new attacking player on their books is Medhy Guezoui, who scored 15 times for Quevilly last season in the Championnat National. He has never before played at Ligue 2. Hadzibegic has at least succeeded in boosting his defensive numbers, adding Baptiste Aloe to his squad on a full-time basis. Furthermore, experienced defensive midfielders Johann Ramare and Thiago Xavier have both joined up, although they are past their best now. Otherwise, they have pieced together players from the third tier, with the exception former Strasbourg right-back Laurent Dos Santos, who was a backup last season as they won promotion. VA do not appear to have a great deal going for them as the season approaches, with particular concern over their lack of firepower. Sebastien Roudet, now 36, will be asked to provide a good deal of creativity in the midfield, where Sigamary Diarra will also be important. This was a squad that suffered terribly from injuries last season, and a repeat would be probably be fatal as it appears their resources are already dreadfully stretched.