Ligue 1: 7 Questions for the New Season

It's all change in Ligue 1 which gets underway for another sensational season on beIN SPORTS .... and we have questions!

Who will replace Mbappe's goals at PSG?

Year 1 for Luis Enrique at PSG was a solid B+. The experienced Spanish coach guided the French behemoth to a domestic treble and the semifinals of the Champions League. However, it should have been one step further in Europe rather than a Borussia Dortmund knockout.

However, Mbappe's endless supply of goals has now been cut off. Despite Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani costing $150million between them (according to Transfermarkt), the PSG forwards only managed 17 Ligue 1 goals last season. Mbappe reached the same tally before Christmas. The question remains whether Enrique will stick with his existing forward options or twist with a direct Mbappe replacement.

Can De Zerbi end Marseille's coaching carousel?

This question sounds a little snarky, admittedly. Then again, Marseille had four different men as coach last year, a chaotic situation which resulted in a disastrous 8th-placed finish in Ligue 1. Marseille have had another reboot this summer and recruited former Brighton coach, Roberto de Zerbi, in what is arguably a big step-up from anyone else on the bench over the past few years.

It's an ambitious move for a club that has a new-look forward line. The talismanic Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has gone, along with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr. Mason Greenwood and rising star, Elye Wahi, will need to provide the bulk of the goals with De Zerbi now tasked with putting Marseille back into the Ligue 1 top-three. At least.

Will Lyon's summer splurge pay off?

Go big, or go home. That's the current philosophy of Lyon, where life is never dull. The Ligue 1 giants danced with relegation last season, but ended up waltzing into 6th place. The once stand-in coach, Pierre Sage, is now full-time and Lyon have backed him with a current net spend of $110 million in the transfer market. Highlights include the arrival of Senegal centerback, Moussa Niakhaté, and the thrill-machine of

Georges Mikautadze. The aim of Lyon this season will be consistency, rather than chaos.

Can Brest battle on two fronts?

When the 2024-25 Champions League draw is made, a dream will have been made reality for the mighty Brest, who finished in an incredible 3rd spot in Ligue 1 last season. However, a team that normally battles relegation will have to do so again, by coping with a midweek schedule that will take its toll on a reduced squad that has only seen a $1 million net spend this summer.

Can Will Still focus on Lens after key departures?

France's most 'English' team in terms of fan support and style play, now has a half-English coach. The punchy Will Still has joined up with Lens and the 31-year-old has the challenge of leading a squad that has just lost Elye Wahi to Marseille with more big-name departures potentially on the way.

Will Strasbourg fans start a French Revolution?

Strasbourg fans were already unhappy at the English bond that existed with the club having been owned by the same group as Chelsea. Another grudge over Les Anglais has been added with the replacement for departing coach, Patrick Vieira. Strasbourg have gone very 'out of the box' with the arrival of Englishman, Liam Rosenior, who has never coached in any top-flight league (nevermind France) and was last in charge of Hull City. From The Tigers to the lion's den.

Can St. Etienne survive after a return from the brink?

After two years in Ligue 2, the sensation for St. Etienne fans at the start of the season will be relief. After all, the club could easily have followed the path of the also relegated Bordeaux, a club on the brink of complete extinction. The mission this season will be to avoid a bottom-three finish and steady the ship after a choppy few years at this historic club.