In the first team photo, before the kick-off of the match against Valenciennes this Saturday (7 p.m.), there will be faces unknown to the vast majority of Girondins de Bordeaux supporters. For this first day of Ligue 2, the players will present themselves with a very rejuvenated team.
It is first of all the consequence of a turbulent off-season. Having obtained validation from the French Football Federation only three days before the start of the season, the Girondins did not could not launch their recruitment, although three recruits took part in the preparation. But the defenders’ contracts Yohan Barbet and Vital N’Simbaarrivals free and from midfield Danylo Ignatnekowhose purchase option was exercised, did not not had time to be approved before Saturday.
A dozen players pushed to the exit
Other players are still under contract, but the club doesn’t want them anymore, especially because of their too big salaries, not adapted to Ligue 2, but also for questions of level or attitude. Thus, defenders Mexer, Paul Baysse and Abel Medioub, midfielders Rémi Oudin and Mehdi Zerkane and attackers M’Baye Niang and Hwang Ui-Jo have become undesirable. They did not participate in any preparation match.
So who’s still available? Among the professionals of the last season, more people. Given the friendly matches, a kind of spine emerges with goalkeeper Gaëtan Poussin, defender Stian Gregersen, midfielders Tom Lacoux, Fransergio, Issouf Sissokho and Junior Onana, as well as striker Josh Maja, who was on loan last season at Stoke City. To these could be added Alberth Elis. Expected to leave, the Honduran striker could finally stay, but he will not be there this Saturday.
Young and very young people in the field
To accompany them on the ground, there will be young people. The one who stood out the most during the preparation was Logan Delaurier-Chaubet. A young 20-year-old attacking midfielder, he arrived at the Girondins in 2017 from Balma, in the Toulouse region. This left-handed, small size, technically comfortable. He notably scored a superb goal against Saint-Étienne in a friendly match.
Also in the offensive field, another 20-year-old made a good impression, Dilan Bakwa. He already has a little more experience, since he played a little in Ligue 1, with five games last year, and seven the previous year. He should have more responsibilities this season.
A defense with three teenagers?
Another big project, the defensive sector. This weekend, the full-backs should be two 18-year-old players, Jacques Ekomie, left, and Johaneko Louis-Jean to the right. The first has never played for the pros, but has already been called up to the national team. He played in the reserve team last year, after a stint with young people in Mérignac. The second is identified as one of the academy’s promising players. He played two pro games last year, both against Brest, the Coupe de France game and the last game of the Ligue 1 season. Junior Mwanga (19 years old) was titular. This solid central defender could start on Saturday, just like Malcom Bokele (22 years old), loaned last season to Villefranche, in National.
Other young people have appeared during the preparation, and could have their chance. The young midfielder Lenny Pirringuel (18), winner of the Mediterranean Games this summer with the France U18 team, like Louis-Jean for that matter. Faced with the lack of depth in attack, the young Marvin deLima (18 years old) and Lucas Rocrou (19 years old) could also have playing time. Present during the preparation matches, Emeric Depussay, Émilien Makangi and Tijany Attalah should also be in the group.