Football Season Guide

Montpellier might have finished in the top half of the Ligue 1 table last time around, but that was a flattering position for a side that struggled to score goals throughout the season. Under the guidance of Michel Der Zakarian, they have typically been an effective side that relies heavily on their defensive line to keep things tight. To that end, they have suffered a blow over the course of the summer as they have seen Nordi Mukiele depart for big money to RB Leipzig. He is, however, the only significant player to have left the club over the close season, with Damien Le Tallec arriving to replace him. Given the journeyman defender has little of the pedigree of his predecessor, it represents a gamble. Meanwhile, veteran defender Hilton, who is the wrong side of 40, will again be asked to play a big role in the rearguard. He did an excellent job last term but there is aa feeling that he cannot continue at such a level indefinitely. Little has changed in the midfield, which did a steady job last term though lacked attacking punch. Junior Sambia’s loan deal from Niort has been made permanent, while Florent Mollet has arrived from Metz to provide more attacking punch. He should be a quietly effective addition. Meanwhile, Montpellier have beefed up their attacking options by signing Petar Skuletic from Genclerbirligi while Andy Delort has joined up from Toulouse. The latter was disappointing last season but he has performed well in Ligue 1 in the past and should, on paper, be a signing that at least allows his club to be competitive in an attacking sense. There remains a lack of depth, particularly in the midfield, but there should be more threat around Montpellier’s side in the coming campaign.