Ligue 1 has often been in the shadow of Europe’s big four leagues, but fans in France will fiercely defend their competition which boasts some of the best young players on the planet.
And of course the Ligue 1 2022 news often centres around Paris Saint-Germain, the Gallic Galacticos, who marched to the league title again this season. PSG are the richest club in France by a mile, and that means they are not the most popular among fans around the country but the club has a clear ambition to dominate France and Europe.
While domestic glory comes regularly to Paris, a European crown has so far been elusive and the club’s Qatari owners are determined to put that right. The first step they took as the 2021/22 campaign came to a close was to secure the future of star player Kylian Mbappe who snubbed another approach from Real Madrid to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
But while Mbappe has vowed to stay at the club, the future of Lionel Messi is not entirely certain and he has been linked with a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the US Major League Soccer.
Whether Messi stays for another year remains to be seen, but the Parisiens have already moved in the market to complete the signing of Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes.
The 19-year-old came to the Parc des Princes last summer on loan from Sporting Lisbon and he had an impressive season, playing 37 times for the Ligue 1 champions, earning himself a permanent move at a cost of £34-M.
The Ligue 1 2022 betting odds at the start of the new campaign will announce PSG as the favourites again and their decision to activate their option to sign Mendes along with the retention of Mbappe is a sign of intent.
Klopp is shopping in France
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is trying to strengthen his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign and he has been following some of the best young talent in Ligue 1.
Liverpool missed out on the Premier League and the Champions League in 2022, losing out to Manchester City and Real Madrid, and Klopp is looking to strengthen his midfield.
He has been tracking midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in recent weeks after the Monaco star had a brilliant breakout season with five goals and two assists in 50 appearances following his transfer from Bordeaux. The 22-year-old has already earned eight caps with France and has been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.
Tchouameni is likely to choose between Liverpool and Los Blancos as he will want Champions League football, but there is still work for Klopp to do if he is to win the battle for his signature.
Meanwhile, Liverpool look set to lose Senegalese striker Sadio Mane who is increasingly looking likely to move to FC Bayern. The Reds were hoping to extend his stay at Anfield, but now Klopp is looking elsewhere as it looks like Mane is on the way out.
He has been watching Rennes forward Martin Terrier as a possible replacement. The 25-year-old has scored 30 goals in 71 appearances since signing from Lyon in 2020 on a five-year deal and, as a deep lying forward or target man, that’s a decent return.
It also may be that Klopp sees Terrier as a natural replacement for Divock Origi who is also on his way out of the Anfield club.
Ligue 1 stars in the Nations League
Didier Deschamps’ France play Denmark on Friday in the first game of Les Bleus’ defence of their UEFA Nations League crown which they won in 2021.
It’s a match we’re previewing here at SBOTOP, so take a look at the latest news, views, and the best range of Asian Handicap Betting odds. Christian Eriksen is lined up to appear for the Danes so it’s certainly a match to watch.
Some of Ligue 1’s young stars hope to make an appearance. PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe has joined Mbappe in Deschamps’ squad and he will be pushing for a start alongside Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
But he will have strong competition from William Saliba of Olympique Marseilles, who finished second in Ligue last term. The 21-year-old has received rave reviews this season and OM are keen to keep hold of a player they believe could be a future world star.
Tchouameni is also in line for his ninth cap, while his Monaco teammate Wissam Ben Yedder will hope for some action up front.
But with Mbappe, Karim Benzema, and Christopher Nkunku also in the group, Ben Yedder may have to wait for an opportunity from the bench.
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