The club has good foundations
The club has been progressing a lot over the recent years, and they managed to reach Ligue 1 in just two years after playing in the third division. New management is determined to make the club consistent performer in Ligue 1, and they are even talking about European qualification. The club ambition can be seen in building a new training centre, which will aid players’ development and improve the team’s results in the long run. New stadium is also under construction, and when it is finished the players will have excellent working conditions. The team finished 13th last season, and managed to reach the quarterfinals of the League Cup. Valenciennes avoided relegation which was the primary objective, with Steve Savidan and captain Abdeslam Ouaddou key players in their campaign. Both of these players have left the club, but some decent replacements arrived and coach Kambouare will have decent squad this year.
Savidan and Ouaddou left
The club has been very busy in the transfer window, and there are signs that they could sign a couple of more players. Two key figures last season left the club and left a big hole for new players to fill. Captain Abdeslam Ouaddou, an influential defender joined Nancy, while star striker Steve Savidan, who was club’s best goalscorer last four years, went to join Caen. No less than eight players arrived to strengthen the team in all areas. The arrivals of Milan Biševac, Rafael Shmitz and Siaka Tiene have severely strengthened defensive area, while Gael Danic, Jonathan Lacourt, Seid Khitter and Amara Bangoura were all added to midfield. Luigi Pieroni is the only new attacker. Only Savidan and Ouaddou were key players last year, out of the players that left the club, and new players all have Ligue 1 experience. The team is now stronger than last year and with the ambitious management they will only grow as a team.
In
Luigi Pieroni (Nantes)
Gael Danic (Troyes)
Milan Biševac (Lens)
Rafael (Birmingham)
Jonathan Lacourt (Lens)
Seid Khiter (Lens)
Jean-LouisLeca (Bastia)
Siaka Tiene (St-Etienne)
Sebo (Rangers)
Amara Bangoura (Khourigba)
Out
Eric Chelle (Lens)
Coque (free)
Shell (free)
Geoffrey Doumeng (Lens)
Khaled Kharroubi (FC Dender)
Williams Martinez (on loan at Reims))
Abdeslam Ouaddou (Nancy)
Sebastien Roudet (Lens)
Steve Savidan (Caen)
Main objective is to avoid relegation
The club wants to continue to grow, and with ambitious management, this seems inevitable. New training centre is now in use and new stadium is under construction and should be ready for the season 2009/2010. This shows that the club is looking ahead, and wants to create great working atmosphere for the players. It is on the players to repay them, and this year the club expects a safe mid table finish. After losing two very important figures, Savidan and Ouaddou, the club has recruited some very good players, and the team looks even stronger than last year. With the announced departures of Rippert and Bezzaz, Valenciennes is still looking for two or three players to complete the squad. With the possible arrival of another striker, the team should be able to stay clear of the relegation zone and achieve mid table finish.
Our tip: Valenciennes to achieve mid table finish
Odds
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