United side in the round of 16.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel became
almost a comedy figure towards the end
of the season, regularly bemoaning his
side’s ill-fortune with injuries. Maybe
he was making the case that the
disappointing campaign wasn’t entirely
his fault. If that was true then it worked,
because the German signed a year-long
contract extension to 2021.
At the moment, fans aren’t sure
whether this is good or bad news.
What they are pleased about is the
return of Brazilian Leonardo as director
of sport, replacing the Portuguese
Antero Henrique. The former PSG player
had filled the role in Paris between 2011
and 2013, and his first major task hasLyon closing
in on PSG
A
t the risk of sounding like
a broken record, where else
do you start a preview of
a French league campaign
than with current champions and media
magnets Paris Saint-Germain?
Despite winning last season’s Ligue
1 title at a canter – they finished 16
points clear of second-place Lille – once
again PSG failed to establish themselves
as a major European force; something
that has been their Holy Grail ever since
Qatari investors took over the capital
club back in 2011.
Additionally, they landed neither the
French Cup nor the League Cup (both
of which had been bagged the previous
season), ended the campaign with
both on and off-the-pitch scandals
surrounding star player Neymar, and then
discovered their Qatari president, Nasser
Al Khelaifi, was being charged by a
French judge with corruption over his
country’s bid to host the world athletics
championships. And that’s without even
mentioning a disastrous Champions
League exit to an average Manchester(^) TIMOTHY WEAH
(Lille)
The 19-year-old American has had to
carry the weight of being George
Weah’s son. On loan at Celtic last
season, he arrives in Lille on a
five-year deal and the club have
high hopes for him.
(^) ANDER HERRERA
(Paris Saint-Germain)
The Spanish international joined on a
free transfer from Manchester United
and will add yet more bite to PSG’s
midfield. A partnership with Marco
Verratti could be something to be
reckoned with.
(^) JOACHIM ANDERSEN
(Lyon)
The Danish centre-back was one
of Serie A’s top defenders and Lyon
will feel they have pulled off a real
coup in bagging his signature from
Sampdoria. Can he add defensive
steel to a title bid?
Season preview 2019-20
FRANCE LIGUE 1
Problems...Neymar training in Shenzhen, China
PLAYERS TO WATCH