Upcoming Season - Ligue 1 - Part 1

The new season is only 16 days away, and of course the transfer window will remain open 20 days after the season starts, I wanna write now about the teams chances.


BORDEAUX - The Champions
The biggest news for Les Girodins is the permament signing of Midfield genius Yoann Gourcuff, the inspirational and very very gifted midfielder took Bordeaux from Champions League qualification contenders to French Champions.

He light up the wine region with his superb touch, vision and also banged in some goals in the process, the "new Zidane" has grown since his days at Rennes, and even though he didn't get much playing time in Milan, he has improved as a player.

Jaroslav Plasil has also been added to the midfield signing from Osasuna, Jaro can play in the middle and also out on the left, and has a cultured left foot, not very fast but is skillful enough to play wide, he will replace Gabriel Obetan's place in the squad after his move to Man Utd.

The #1 Goalkeeper shirt has changed hands too, coming in is ex-Marseille and Toulouse keeper Cedric Carrasso, he will undoubtedly replace Ulrich Rame as the man between the sticks, and with Souleymane Diawara leaving to Marseille.

I get the feeling the title will not be returning to the Stade Chaban Delmas next May, a Champions League place will still be a great season.

PREDICTED FINISH - 3rd


MARSEILLE - Runner Up
L'OM mean business, letting go Cisse, Givet, Ziana and Zubar raked in about €22m and they have spent big, a major coup in bringing Lucho Gonzalez in from Porto, usually players like Lucho move from Porto to a big club in Italy or Spain, but it shows Marseille's intent, he is a world class midfielder, and worth every penny of the €18m paid for him. Souleymane Diaward has came in from Bordeaux the big centre half has improved massively from his time at Charlton, a title with Bordeaux can he make it 2 with Marseille, Stephame M'Bia comes in from Rennes, a player I really like, Cameroon international can play anywhere, better in the midfield or defence, more a DM for me.

With Didier Deschamps in charge it's hard to know the style Marseille will play, playmaker BenArfa has moved from #20 to #10 so he will be in Deschamps mind, it is a very talented team, that could easily win the title, and I think they will.

PREDICTED FINISH - 1ST

more to come later