Paris Saint-Germain’s domination of Ligue 1 is almost total, but Strasbourg, rather than the European champions, were France’s biggest spenders in the recent transfer window.
While PSG reportedly shelled out just over 100 million euros (US$116.8 million) during the French summer, Strasbourg’s owners BlueCo sanctioned purchases of almost 120 million euros according to specialist Web site Transfermarkt.
PSG only signed two players in Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and Bournemouth’s Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi.
Photo: AFP
At Strasbourg, in contrast, coach Liam Rosenior has seen 13 new faces arrive and three players who were on loan last season sign permanently, while defender Mamadou Sarr was sold to Chelsea and loaned back.
Two standout players from last season have gone to the Premier League, with midfielder Habib Diarra signing for Sunderland and winger Dilane Bakwa joining Nottingham Forest for a total of 72 million euros.
However, the Alsace outfit have spent that money, and more, to build a squad capable of competing high up the Ligue 1 and going far in Europe.
Strasbourg were in contention for Champions League qualification last season before a late collapse saw them finish seventh.
That means they are involved in the Conference League, where league phase opponents included FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
“We have a very good squad,” said Rosenior just before the closure of the window, which notably saw England left-back Ben Chilwell arrive at the last minute from Chelsea.
“For me now it is about making sure I pick the right starting team,” added the Englishman, who insists Strasbourg aspire to be playing in the Champions League.
“I feel like we have better opportunities as a staff to make in-game tactical decisions which we didn’t have last year. I am really happy with this group,” he said.
While most French clubs, other than PSG and Marseille, have been forced to tighten belts due to the collapse of Ligue 1’s domestic broadcast deal, Strasbourg’s owners have increased investment.
“When you look at what is happening to French clubs, how is it possible that some of them are able to spend so much?” asked Nice sporting director Florian Maurice in an interview with sports daily L’Equipe.
There is controversy around the ownership model. The BlueCo consortium, led by American businessmen Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, also own Chelsea.
A pathway from Stamford Bridge to Alsace has opened up. Star performers for Strasbourg last season included goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who were on loan from Chelsea.
They have returned to London, but Chilwell and midfielder Mathis Amougou are new arrivals from Chelsea on permanent deals.
In addition to Sarr, goalkeeper Mike Penders and Ecuador starlet Kendry Paez have come in on loan from west London.
Many Strasbourg fans are unhappy that their team is part of a multi-club model, yet BlueCo have made the 1979 French champions stronger than they had been in decades.
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