Football Season Guide

Nantes struggled against relegation last season and amid the usual background of disarray at the Breton club, they will be fighting to retain their place in Ligue 1 once again in 2024/25. The mess at the club was summed up last term by the re-appointment of Antoine Kombouare to the head coach role to replace Pierre Aristouy, who he had previously been replaced by. Survival would be assured, though they endured terrible home form. It should be noted, however, that significant injury problems played their part in the strife of the club. There have been several players leave the club, including Moussa Sissoko, who was arguably their most high-profile player. He did not justify this status in terms of his performances, while fellow central midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy is another significant player to go. On the other hand, a very smart piece of business has been conducted by the arrival of young centre-forward Matthis Abline, whose contribution last term went a huge way to securing their survival. The retention of Tino Kadewere from Lyon, on the other hand, is a far more questionable call given his struggles in France’s top flight in recent years. With Mostafa Mohamed and Moses Simon also in the attacking corps along with Ignatius Ganago, Nantes should have plenty up top. There has been a shrewd piece of business conducted to sign Johann Lepenant from Lyon on loan. Nantes will need to rehabilitate him after injury and also the fact that he was left out of the OL squad for much of last season. He should prove a strong addition and provide additional backbone to the team. At the back, meanwhile, Nantes look adequately stocked. Jean-Charles Castelletto will be the centrepiece of the defence, behind which Alban Lafont is a strong goalkeeper. Nathan Zeze is a player with big potential, though there is a lack of natural left-back and even a lack of depth on the right.