It’s time for the last international break of 2023. The first third of the season has already been played, so it’s the right time to take stock of the best and worst recruits in Ligue 1 The time has come for disappointments today because they are present at all levels of the ranking as well as in almost all of our clubs. Here is a list of players who came during the last transfer window and who struggled to show their advantage during the first 12 days.
We start at the top of the table and PSG. Overall, Luis Campos has succeeded in the transfer window of the current leader but he remains a problem in attack where neither Randal Kolo Muanineither Gonçalo Ramos fail to impose themselves. One often replaces the other since the start of the season, and it is often the newcomer who proves his coach right. For the moment, the Frenchman has the best statistics (7 games, 351 minutes, 2 goals, 2 assists compared to 11 games, 603 minutes for 2 goals and 1 assist) but the performance and adaptation of the two players are insufficient. The former Nantes player still cost €95 million, when the Portuguese is loaned by Benfica with an almost obligatory option (qualification of PSG at the end of the 2023/2024 season) estimated between €65 and €80 million depending on the bonuses . It’s expensive.
Balogun, Haraldsson and Diouf cost a small fortune
Still in the attackers’ department, Folarin Balogun is having a difficult start to the season. The former Rémois (21 goals in L1 last year) is still struggling to justify his €30 million transfer and has only found the net three times in 9 matches (and 1 assist in 504 minutes ). He notably saw Bulka stop two of his penalties during Monaco-Nice. Still at ASM but this time, at the other end of the team, Philipp Kohn, purchased for €8 million from Red Bull Salzburg, has not yet achieved the expected return. In Lille, we took the gamble Samuel Umtiti but for the moment it is a relative failure since the defender signed for free. Still physically fragile, he only played 5 games (181 minutes of play) and struggled to keep going, ahead of Yoro and Alexsandro. For Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, the problem is different. The transfer of the Icelander was still billed at €15 million. The left-hander must for the moment be content with replacement status (9 matches but only 312 minutes played).
We move to Lens where the transfer window was not a great success. If Elye Wahi adapts very slowly to his new team, Andy Diouf may fear his place due to the other rookie in midfield, Nampalys Mendy. The player loaned and then sold by Rennes to Basel, then transferred from Switzerland to the North of France (€13 million) fails to take over from Seko Fofana. He played 11 games for 695 minutes. It’s nothing compared to Stijn Spierings who has already returned to Toulouse on loan, although he had left free this summer. In Nantes, the winger Marquinhos almost didn’t play (88 minutes spread over 5 games) in particular because of his presence at the Pan American Games. We should see him again soon, he who is on loan from Arsenal.
OM missed out in front
Still in the offensive elements department but at OM this time, no one is satisfactory. Loaned by Inter, Joaquin Correa is missing out on his first part of the season (6 games, 289 minutes). Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the starter but that doesn’t mean he’s found his stride (11 games, 816 minutes for 1 goal and 3 assists). The Gabonese is quite expensive in terms of salary, whereasIliman Ndiayewas the subject of an expensive transfer, €17 million, and he does not have a better statistical level (11 matches, 595 minutes, 1 goal and 2 assists). Ismaïla Sarr is not doing much better with 3 goals in 9 games (656 minutes) and a transfer of €20 million. In Rennes, it is more in the midfield that the recruits have difficulty, likeEnzo The Fairy (10 matches, 605 minutes) and Fabian Rieder (7 matches, 216 minutes), respectively transferred from Lorient (€20 million) and Young Boys (€15 million).
We are irremediably going down the rankings to attack the teams at the bottom of the table. Strasbourg has seen many changes this summer between a new coach and a new owner. For the moment, it doesn’t work. Abakar Sylla still cost €20 million. The former Club Bruges central defender started the first 4 matches before losing his place (5 appearances, 363 minutes). In front, Emanuel Emegha does not justify the €13 million invested in him during his first 8 matches (1 goal in 581 minutes). The two former Bordeaux residents, Junior Mwanga And Dilane Bakwaboth purchased for €10 million, have to be content with little playing time. The defender only participated in 5 matches (340 minutes), while the winger played a little more (10 matches, 499 minutes).
We no longer count the misses at OL
In Lorient, we took bets this summer by trying to relaunch Tiémoué Bakayoko And Benjamin Mendy, both 29 years old and arrived free. The first finally begins to play a series of matches (4 appearances, 279 minutes) in midfield but the left back, who had not played for more than two years, disappeared after his first 3 appearances (5th, 6th and 7th day ). He is injured in the hamstring. In difficulties in the championship, the Merlus expect more. And what about the Lyon recruits then? It’s not easy to choose among all the reinforcements, as they were so disappointing. We of course think of Ainsley Maitland-Niles (5 matches, 266 minutes), who arrived from Arsenal with a certain CV or even Duje Caleta-Car (4 matches), who has not appeared since September 3. Mama Baldé (8 matches, 348 minutes) is far too messy up front, while Paul Akouokou does not seem to benefit from much confidence from his coach (3 appearances, 173 minutes).
