With four consecutive defeats and a change of coach, ASSE has been in a difficult situation in recent weeks. The Greens, eliminated from the Coupe de France by Marseille last weekend (0-4), will spend the holidays in a play-off position. Maintenance, however, remains largely accessible but will require a successful transfer window, which will allow Eirik Horneland to put his ideas in place on the ground.
During his first press conference last Friday, the Norwegian coach first said he wanted “work with the existing team”. To apply his playing principles (high pressing, intensity, ball control, etc.), Horneland will however have to hope for reinforcements this winter. If internally, there is no question of completely calling into question the summer transfer window, everyone is well aware that it will be necessary to recruit during the month of January.
Several reinforcements for ASSE
The central defender profiles currently with the Greens do not really seem suited to Eirik Horneland's style of play. Difficulties managing depth, not a player who really stands out in terms of restarts: the recruitment of a central defender seems essential this winter. This is why an arrival is targeted for this position. The player who arrives should be right-handed, since the Saint-Etienne hinge can already count on Nadé, Abdelhamid or even Pétrot, all left-handed. On the list of players targeted, we find for example a profile playing in Ligue 2 and another who plays outside Europe.
ASSE is also actively looking to strengthen itself in midfield. Apart from Benjamin Bouchouari, no one has really given satisfaction in this sector of play since the start of the season. A few days ago, the newspaper l'Equipe mentioned the Baptiste Santamaria track (Stade Rennais). An experienced name that, on paper, doesn't fit Kilmer's politics. At a press conference last week, Loïc Perrin revealed, however, that he was not “no ban on experienced players coming to join us”. It remains to be seen whether it could be Santamaria, or another background also having experience in the elite.
New faces in attack too?
A winger is also wanted quickly. Mathieu Cafaro and Augustine Boakye are currently neither reliable nor regular and Ben Old will not be back on the field for several weeks. As for the other positions, discussions have already started. Among the names observed is, for example, a player playing in Ligue 1, who we will talk about shortly.
In addition to a central defender, a midfielder and a winger, the Saint-Etienne leaders could also sign an attacker. Although nothing is certain at the moment, steps have nevertheless been taken. For example, the temperature was taken for a young striker playing in Ligue 2. Finally, we are not immune to seeing the board being tempted by a market opportunity. At least three players are expected in the coming weeks. The transfer window will therefore be lively and the first names may not be long in coming out…
