Football Season Guide

Nimes go into the 2021-22 season hoping that they have got over the problems in terms of their ownership and finances that dogged them towards the end of last season. Nevertheless, their relegation from Ligue 1 after a three-year stay has plunged them into a difficult position and they face a challenge to bounce immediately back. However, they have been told their wage budget is not under any supervision this season and they are free to recruit as they like – a lift to everyone around the club after last term. Not everything has passed smoothly. Captain Anthony Briancon is set to miss a long period of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery. There is cover at centre-back in the form of Pablo Martinez and Naomichi Ueda, but it is looking a little thin. In goal, meanwhile, Per Kristian Bratveit has arrived from Norway and is an unknown quantity. Nimes hope he is as successful as left-back Birger Meling, who promises to be a key player this season. In midfield, Nimes have retained Andres Cubas, a key player from last term, as well as Yassine Benrahou, a playmaking talent who has the potential to be devastating at this standard. Niclas Eliasson should also be dangerous at this level. Meanwhile, Zinedine Ferhat, who was outstanding last season, will leave so should not be counted upon. In attack, meanwhile, Nimes have a dangerous forward in the form of Moussa Kone, while Vlatko Stojanovski has looked dangerous in pre-season after failing to score with Chambly in Ligue 2 last term. Indeed, while Nimes have seen 12 players depart in the summer, only Lucas Deaux and the ultra-versatile Renaud Ripart will be sorely missed. With Pascal Planque, who got the team of something of a run in the second half of the season, in charge for the next two years, Nimes do, therefore, have a degree of stability to work from.