After 16 consecutive years in the elite of French football, Montpellier will evolve this season in L2 this season. A small earthquake nationwide for a historic club in the French championship, titled in 2012. Since 2017, only four clubs have managed to go up immediately in L1 after a relegation: Auxerre, Angers, Lorient and the expert in the matter, Metz. Montpellier intends to use the great means to erase the slate for the past season and be added to this selection by next May.
To date, the Pailladin club has already been able to separate from Wahbi Khazri, one of the biggest wages in the locker room, while Téji Savanier should also change its air this summer (Lecomte is still there). As for Andy Delort, who will have been more talked about for his Padel tournaments than for his goals last season, his loan has come to an end. In the direction of arrivals, Montpellier did not drag. In a Ligue 2 championship which promises to be relatively competitive this season, marked by the relegations of Reims and Saint-Etienne, the Montpellier leaders were aware of the need to strengthen themselves. As of July 12, no less than 6 players have already joined the Hérault club.
Experience players to go back to L1
“We are naturally one of the favorites since we get out of Ligue 1. There are other teams with perhaps more certainties at the level of their workforce. But we will do everything to build a competitive team and achieve the objectives set ”confided this morning the coach Zoumana Camara. Ligue 1 player established (106 L1 games, and 144 L2), Julien Laporte is part of the process. The 31 -year -old defender left Lorient with whom he had just climbed, to rally the MHSC. “It was done very quickly because Montpellier arrived in the discussions very early, even before the end of the championship. And the Montpellier project, with a three -year contract, corresponded to me ”he had recently explained to Ouest-Francewhile Lorient had tried to extend it. The winger Nathanaël Mbuku (23) also arrived on loan from Augsburg to try to revive after a visit to ASSE and the Dinamo Zagreb. He will be able to bring his solid experience in Ligue 1 (80 games) to the Montpellier collective.
As a goalkeeper, Dimitry Bertaud left his training club, and the experienced Mathieu Michel arrived free after the end of his contract in Valenciennes. A signature that responds to the MHSC's desire to rely on experienced players, like the last signature of Alexandre Mendy. The 31-year-old Bissau-Guinean striker has asserted himself in recent seasons as one of the best L2 scorers (72 goals on the clock in 182 Ligue 2 matches), with a 2023/2024 season at 22 goals that should have opened the doors of Sunderland. Montpellier also made the choice to bet on youth. With this in mind, the promising Victor Orakpo (19) arrived on loan from Nice (Le Havre was also interested), like the young PSG defender, Naoufel El Hannach.
Still expected departures
Movement should still be expected in the coming weeks. It seems almost impossible to imagine the former international tricolor hope, Joris Chotard, staying in his training club. Best Montpellier last season, Becir Omeragic should also sail to new horizons, he who does not lack interest abroad. According to our information, Modibo Sagnan is also courted by Rizespor., While Once Maamma joined Watford. Regarding Jordan Ferri, the trend of the past few weeks was rather at the idea of seeing him stay, Zoumana Camara enjoying his profile.
The Montpellier preparation matches program:
July 12: Montpellier – Istres
July 18: Montpellier – Rodez
July 23: Montpellier – Martigues
July 26: Bastia – Montpellier
August 02: Montpellier – Ajaccio
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