Football Season Guide

Guingamp have established themselves as a mid-table force in Ligue 1 over the past couple of seasons, and that is the type of standard that they should be aiming towards over the course of the next campaign. Antoine Kombouare is generally regarded as one of the stronger coaches in the league, with his side causing problems for many of the country’s best last term. It was their home form that underpinned their 12th-placed finish last term and is likely to be an important part of their challenge this time around. Kombouare has the luxury of a squad that has not changed significantly over the summer months, although important forward Jimmy Briand will go in the weeks to come, it seems. Thibaut Giresse has retired while Jonathan Martins Pereira and Moustapha Diallo have been allowed to depart, though none of this trio was a regular member of the starting XI. Diallo was, however, a strong scoring presence from the midfield, but was not a favourite of the coach. In essence, the starting XI should change little. One addition that has been made is to sign Breton striker Nolan Roux from Metz, where he flourished last season playing on an unusual role on the left wing. It may well be that he is deployed there once again this term, despite more orthodoxly being a centre forward. They look well covered in an attacking sense, although the centre of midfield is an area where they could struggle if they were to pick up an injury or two, particularly in a defensive capacity. Aside from that, it looks a well-balanced squad, with a decent defensive corps and a reliable goalkeeper in Kalle Johnsson. Guingamp could be an interesting dark horse in Ligue 1 this season to push into the European sports, but they should attain a strong mid-table finish again.