Posted on November 18, 2021 at 11:30 am by Arthur Montagne
ASSE is preparing to experience a crucial winter transfer window which could decide its retention in Ligue 1. Especially since CAN will deprive the Greens of several executives for a few matches. A situation of which Claude Puel is perfectly aware, even if the manager of the Greens also knows that he will have to manage the transfer window with limited means.
Stuck in 19th place in Ligue 1, the AS Saint-Etienne must fight to stay in the top flight after a very complicated start to the season which saw the Greens wait until Matchday 13 to win their first match. A victory snatched against Clermont with two goals in added time (3-2). It must be said that the ASSE , plagued by major financial worries, was unable to strengthen this summer. Only Ignacio Ramirez landed in the last seconds of the transfer window. But the Uruguayan striker, on loan from Liverpool Fútbol Club de Montevideo , struggles to win and plays very little. Therefore, Claude Puel cannot really rely on reinforcements. But this winter it could be different. At the microphone of France Bleu, Jean-François Soucasse , executive president of the ASSE , was indeed ambitious for the arrival of several players in January. “Our current team shows character, resources but also weaknesses. Obviously, the club wants to be active for this transfer window. Profiles have been targeted, contacts made. We are obviously keen to be able to bring more comfort and solutions to this team to ensure this objective which is ours, to ensure maintenance, ”he assured. A reassuring speech, although Claude Puel is also aware of the economic reality of the Forez club.
“We will be active in the transfer window, but …”
In fact, in an interview with L'Equipe, Claude Puel was invited to react to the words of Jean-François Soucasse . And the manager of the Greens brings everyone back to reality. “Yes, but to what degree? I like to be down to earth. We want to try to recruit and we need it. But given our envelope, we will be relying on loans. I hope that we will find two or three rare birds that will give the team confidence to move forward, “he said. And yet, the ASSE will be forced to strengthen since the club is heavily impacted by the CAN. Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia), Saïdou Sow (Guinea), Harold Moukoudi and < strong> Yvan Neyou (Cameroon), or even Madhi Camara , courted by The Gambia and Zaydou Youssouf , by the Comoros, will be affected by this competition which will take place from January 9 to February 6. The Greens will therefore be deprived of several executives which may pose a problem in the race to maintain. “I am no longer in this disposition. I am in a fighting stance. Yes, we will be active in the transfer window. But loans often come at the last moment. Their market is always particular. We must have opportunities, ”thus assures Claude Puel before being relaunched in the positions to be reinforced as a priority. And the manager of ASSE is particularly worried about the loss of Wahbi Khazri , already author of 7 goals since the start of the season. “We will lose Wahbi (Khazri, who should be selected with Tunisia) … We will look in clubs which have a large workforce,” concludes Puel who therefore seems worried about the situation as the match approaches. winter transfer window.