Despite the holiday of 14 July, the OL team has resumed training under the leadership of Paulo Fonseca, with a renewed mentality. The recent confirmation of Ligue 1 retention has profoundly changed the context of the club, calming internal tensions related to the sanction of Ligue 2 and reducing pressure for massive departures. Although recruitment was delayed, management was allowed to strengthen the team, while respecting strict budgetary constraints, as Michael Gerlinger confirmed at the press conference.

OL’s recruitment policy seems to evolve towards a more cautious and potential-oriented approach. The idea is to focus on young talent from the Academy and low-cost players, rather than relying on expensive stars who do not always meet expectations. This strategy, recalling past successes such as those of Essien or Djila Diarra, aims to maintain the club’s competitiveness. The upcoming arrival of Afonso Moreira, for two million euros, illustrates this new orientation, a bet controlled and desired by Paulo Fonseca.

This new approach is part of a long-term desire for patience and development. The recruitment unit, led by Matthieu Louis-Jeantour and Benjamin Charierdoi, will play a crucial role in this new strategy by identifying and integrating promising talents. OL is now relying on a combination of experienced players and young talent to target at least the Europa League, a goal displayed by the management, far from the austerity cure initially announced. Listening to the coach’s expectations seems to be the key to ensuring the club’s future success.

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