RMCont After Foot columnists discussed the ASSE Kilmer project, highlighting both the promises and challenges of this recruitment strategy. David Gluzmán criticises ASSE’s €24 million investment, considering that a lesser effort would have been enough to ensure that the club was maintained. He also deplores the lack of activity of the club during the winter mercato, especially on the side posts, and criticizes a direction that seems to oscillate between the past and the future, despite exceptional human capital. Gluzmán highlights the key role of Kilmer, whose recruitment experience and skills, including through data tools, are expected to yield long-term results. He stressed the importance of patience and confidence in this trading policy, recalling that clubs like Brentford and Brighton have succeeded with this approach.

Félix Rouah, for his part, approached the issue of trading more cautiously, stressing that this strategy is based on a particular context and that the ASSE, with its history and demanding audience, might find it difficult to accept it fully. He expressed reservations about the club’s ability to succeed in such a project, despite the quality of its recruitment team. Rouah highlights the continued difficulties of ASSE, including the situation of some key players and the constant pressure exerted by supporters. He insists on the need for a strong spine and a game based on collective, rather than bold bets.

At the same time, ASSE continues its policy of detecting talent from training, with several tests this summer to strengthen its reserve team. The young relaying milieu Elisha Ntambu, who arrived from Chassieu-Décines, impressed during the first preparatory meetings, demonstrating a beautiful activity, a promising reading of the game and an ability to project forward. Despite a recent injury, Ntambu represents an interesting potential for the reserve team, and its recruitment is part of the ASSE’s current philosophy of detecting, testing and integrating young players with less media coverage but with a significant margin of progression. This approach is reminiscent of ASSE’s approach with players such as Franck Ribéry and Mathieu Vaalbueña, and could allow the club to perform nice operations at a lower cost.