Olympique Lyonnais obtained confirmation of its retention in Ligue 1, a decision accompanied by two important conditions imposed by the National Management Control Directorate (DNCG). These conditions include the payment of transfer allowances from the budget of Ligue 1 and strict supervision of the payroll. In order to respect this last constraint, OL is forced to separate from several players in order to reduce their salary-related expenses. Saël Kumbedi could be one of the players concerned, targeted by the Strasbourg club in case of departure of Guéla Douët. This potential transfer, estimated at over 7 million euros, would represent an added value for OL, which had initially invested one million euros in the player in 2022.

OL Academie has been the subject of numerous criticisms in recent years, notably due to disappointing performance and logistical and internal problems. For the new season, the training centre hopes to regain greater stability. A reorganisation of the organization chart was carried out in the categories of young people, with the arrival of Florent Balmont at the head of the U19 team. Balmont, who has already gained experience as an assistant, will have to manage a significantly renewed group, with the integration of several new recruits from AS Saint-Priest and FC Lyon.

OL’s U19 team, made up mainly of players born in 2008, aims to outperform its eighth place of the previous season. The preparation schedule is busy, with a championship start scheduled for 24 August and a friendly match against Nantes in late July. Florent Balmont will not only have to become familiar with a new workforce, but also manage the challenges associated with this transition and aim to improve results for the coming season.