LIGUE 1 PREVIEW | Mathieu Bodmer’s rebuild brings Le Havre to top flight
One to watch: Daler Kuzyaev – In a team known for its shrewd, lower-profile transfers, the former Zenit St. Petersburg man’s arrival stands out as something of a coup for sporting director Mathieu Bodmer.
The 30-year-old has played in the Champions League and turned out for the Russia national team at the World Cup and in the Euros, and is now playing abroad for the first time in his career. The five-time Russian Premier League winner is a versatile box-to-box midfielder who can also play on the right-hand side, and will bring balance to a starting eleven that’s seen a near-complete overhaul. His ability to contribute up and down the pitch and his experience will be crucial for the promoted side, who are returning to Ligue 1 after a 14-year absence.
Signing to watch: Loïc Négo: The former Nantes youth product was part of the France U19 team that won the Euros back in 2010, alongside the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Antoine Griezmann. He then went on to play in Hungary for a decade, becoming a senior international with the central European country and even facing his country of birth at the Euros in 2021.
The right-back is now back in France, having been preferred to Djibril Sidibé in Le Havre’s shortlist of targets – and it’s clear to see why. Négo is an all-action full-back with an eye for goal – an ideal profile for the likely five-man backline that manager Luka Elsner will opt for this season. Having already impressed against Les Bleus on the international stage, the 32-year-old will be keen to make his mark back home, in what will be his first campaign in the French top flight.
Squad analysis: Beyond the team’s threadbare attack and solid defence, Le Havre’s midfield set-up will be one to keep an eye on. The
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