the three ideal recruits for the winter transfer window

Olympique de Marseille has decided to start a new revolution this summer. After a complicated season last year where it finished eighth in Ligue 1 and where it suffered the wrath of Atalanta in the semi-final of the Europa League, the Olympian club decided to strike hard by managing to attract Roberto De Zerbi in his nets. Very quickly, the Italian turned the squad upside down by removing certain executives considered too “soft” last year (Gigot, Veretout, Clauss, etc.) while recruiting new ones, notably Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, by Mason Greenwood or even Adrien Rabiot to name but a few. Strong management with a change of captain since Leonardo Balerdi took over from Valentin Rongier.

“RDZ” intends to continue this revolution, he who wants to settle in the long term on the banks of the Canebière. This will still involve movements in the Mercato, probably from this winter. At a time when many names have already been announced in the press, Onze Mondial had fun predicting three names that could do OM a lot of good in their quest to secure a place in the Champions League for the next season, a goal once again assumed by Medhi Benatia during his time at Rothen ignited at the beginning of the month: “ It's been too many years since we had the chance to bring home a trophy, that's not insignificant. We need to qualify for the Champions League. A club like OM must be regularly, two times out of three, in the Champions League. There is everything in this club, in this city, to play in the European Cup, which Marseille is missing too much. »

Mats Hummels

Free from any contract last summer, the 2014 world champion decided to join AS Roma. But everything is not going as planned for the German, who has only played two Serie A matches, only one of which as a starter. With immense experience, the man who had an XXL season last year with Borussia Dortmund could be of great service in the Olympian defense where his leadership could do the greatest good.

Asked by DAZN last night on the sidelines of the match against Tottenham in the Europa League, he made no secret of the fact that he needed more playing time: “ I work to help the team as best as possible and as quickly as possible. But I need minutes on the pitch to get there. We didn't play badly against Naples (Sunday evening, editor's note) but we didn't play well either. Napoli deserved to win, but the mentality we displayed makes me believe that we will soon be a much better team and achieve better results. It was a difficult start for me and the team. The season hasn't gone well so far » . It remains to be seen whether the arrival of Claudio Ranieri could allow him to win. But if the situation were to persist, there is no doubt that the opportunity could be good at a time when OM has major defensive problems.

Ivan Fresneda

Another imperative need for OM, the recruitment of a right back. During his visit to Rothen ignites, Medhi Benatia did not hide that the defensive sector was his priority during the next Mercato: “ We will take stock of the upcoming transfer window. When we see the goals we score, they are gifts. We can change a lot of things. The defenders who arrived in the transfer window are high quality players. If we believed it three months ago, we still believe it today. (…) When you have 3-4 players who are not playing at their best level, we have the impression that everything has to be changed. We have some very important matches coming up. We can always look at how to strengthen the team. It will be done. The only idea I have is the matches that are coming up. Then we'll see what we can do. »

The young Spaniard, only 20 years old, has all the right opportunities. While it is true that he is not playing much this season with Sporting, the former Valladolid player is still a talent to be polished, having been in the sights of Arsenal and Real Madrid a year ago. Madrid, Dortmund or even Barça. In addition to that, he perfectly matches the profile that Pablo Longoria likes to find, namely a compatriot, young and who has a lot of room for improvement. The ideal when Roberto De Zerbi wants to plan for the long term. Listed at 9 million euros on Transfermarkt, he would also be in the sights of Valencia, who would be willing to recruit him on loan.

Paul Pogba

Paul PogbaCredit Photo – Icon Sport

Obviously, we couldn't escape it. Free from any contract while Juventus has ended his lease, Paul Pogba has everything a good deal since OM would have nothing to lose. Eager to compete in the next World Cup, the 2018 world champion would like to stay in Europe. Suffice it to say that his motivation will be at its peak after being sidelined for more than a year. His association with Adrien Rabiot, with whom he has already played in the French team, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg would be enough to make the supporters salivate. From a media point of view, an arrival of La Pioche in Ligue 1, and even more so in Marseille, would be enough to unleash the crowds. And even if he needs a little time to regain his level, the Marseille midfield is rather well stocked, which will allow the native of Lagny-sur-Marne to take the time to integrate.

Medhi Benatia had also spoken out on this subject and preferred to kick in, the Frenchman being still under contract with Juve at that time: “ Pat and Paul are my friends…Pogba is a Juventus player, I don't allow myself to comment. On a human level, I am happy that his suspension has been reduced and that he will be able to return to play soon » he said for Tuttosport before Roberto De Zerbi also spoke on this subject on Saturday after the victory against Lens on the microphone of beIN Sports: “ Paul Pogba? I like strong players, but there is nothing at the moment. I love my players, I know them better than anyone, I trust them all “. One thing is sure, it would be fantastic.

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To summarize

As the winter transfer window fast approaches, Onze Mondial offers three ideal recruits for Olympique de Marseille. Three players who could bring a real plus to Roberto De Zerbi's squad. Olympique de Marseille has decided to start a new revolution this summer. After a complicated season last year where it finished eighth in Ligue 1 and where it suffered the wrath of Atalanta in the semi-final of the Europa League, the Olympian club decided to strike hard by managing to attract Roberto De Zerbi in his nets.

Editor