ASSE has its fourth transfer window recruit. After Bakary Sako, Sada Thioub and Paul Bernardoni, Eliaquim Mangala officially joined ASSE on Thursday. The 30-year-old defender, who has been free since leaving Valencia (Spain) this summer, has signed for six months. He comes to bring experience and quality to a sector in great pain. The Greens have conceded more than two goals per game since the start of the season.
He will not play the derby
A time hoped for to play the derby this Friday at Groupama Stadium, Eliaquim Mangala will have to wait to shell the green tunic. He should be operational for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Bergerac on January 30.
A nice CV but doubts about the physical level
On paper, the arrival of Eliaquim Mangala is a good catch for ASSE and in particular for Loïc Perrin in pole position in the winter transfer window. Passed by Porto, Manchester City and with eight selections for the France team, Eliaquim Mangala has experience at a very high level that few Saint-Etienne residents can claim. His career is however declining since 2018 and a knee injury. He has never been able to play full seasons since and played his last game in full over a year ago.