Saint-Étienne has struggled to perform since its return to Ligue 1. Olivier Dall'Oglio's men have gone from having the best defense in Ligue 2 to conceding 20 goals since the start of the season. ASSE is logically the target of many French football experts. Walid Acherchour spoke about the Stéphanois squad during RMC After Foot.
A Stéphanois workforce that is too weak
Often singled out for criticism, ASSE's summer transfer window is considered too insufficient to sustain. Only Yunis Abdelhamid embodies the figure of a potential executive. But the defender fails to regain his level. Walid Acherchour highlighted this deficiency.
“In any case, I have already said it since the start of the season: I find that the squad, taking into account the sums spent, remains quite weak. Even if certain players have shown progress. Davitashvili, who I found very expensive at the start, but who is performing well with Saint-Étienne.
Then young Stassin, who is not bad. Nine million euros for a number 9 of this profile is a significant investment. I expected a little more, even if the injuries played their part. Overall, the squad doesn't seem impressive enough to me.”
A transfer window to relaunch in Ligue 1?
The new leaders of Saint-Étienne took out the checkbook this summer. With more than 20 million euros spent, including 10 to acquire Lucas Stassin, everything suggests that ASSE would have the means to make a move this winter.
“Unlike Le Havre, Angers or Montpellier, Saint-Étienne can afford to inject funds in January. If the situation becomes critical, they will be able to add 10 to 15 million to strengthen the team and, potentially, change coaches Dall'Oglio has already proven himself, but if results remain insufficient, with replacement rumors circulating, he knows his position could be compromised.
This club has enormous potential: an emblematic stadium, a prestigious history, competent people. At some point we're going to have to wipe the slate clean and move forward, and I think they're going to have to do that.”
“Failure would be difficult to accept”
If ASSE is not in a good position, the new Stéphanoise management gives hope to Walid Acherchour.
“I am convinced that they will persist, because other teams in Ligue 1 have even fewer resources and even weaker dynamics. It is possible that we will see the effects in six months or a year.
I think they will hold their own, even if they go through the play-offs, especially with a new coach and reinforcements in January. If not, it would be a huge failure. In a Ligue 1 where certain clubs have financial difficulties, such as Le Havre or Angers, which could maintain themselves despite limited resources, a failure for Saint-Étienne would be difficult to accept.
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