A little less than a month after the end of the 2021/2022 season and a week before the opening of the transfer market, Amiens SC will have to recompose a good part of its workforce to compensate for the departures of players at the end of contract. And if the Picard club was going to draw among the free players? Sample of available and interesting items.
A second goalkeeper or a potential holder?
At the guard post, if Régis Gurtner thinks about his future, the departure of Yohann Thuram is recorded. The market for free players is not lacking in candidates for a position within Amiens SC (as a holder or for the position of second goalkeeper).
QUENTIN BRAATNIORT (26 matches, 10 clean sheets, 27 goals conceded)
A young 24-year-old goalkeeper, he could perfectly take over from Régis Gurtner if the latter decided to leave the ship. Author of a good season with the Chamois, he notably achieved a clean sheet 10 times. The player trained at FC Nantes will necessarily seek to confirm the good arrangements seen in recent years.
Others: Zacharie Boucher (Bastia), Baptiste Valette (Nancy), Stefan Bajic (Pau).
Towards maintaining the defense at 5?
Pending Mattheo Xantippe’s decision, and with the many observers following Owen Gene, the wings could be uncovered this summer. As for the axis of defense, it is already certain that at least one holder will be transferred. Therefore, here are the players on which Amiens would have every interest in betting.
GAETAN PAQUIEZ, NIMES (30 matches, 1 assist)
Substitute at the start of the season, he gradually took the place of starter with the Crocos with interesting performances from mid-October. In addition, he is a locker room player to lean on (captain three times).
Others: Carlens Arcus (Auxerre).
SALIOU CISS, NANCY (24 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist)
The recent African champion with Senegal had already been mentioned in the past at Amiens SC. The ex of the VAFC seems to be an experience profile which, when meeting more difficult, would allow more serenity. Moreover, as his club is demoted, no doubt he will be looking for a new challenge.
Others: Aly Abeid (VAFC).
ANTHONY BRIANCON, NIMES (4 matches, 1 but)
After a year and a half of struggle, Anthony has recently found the pitch (and at the same time, the way to the nets). A man of duty, captain of Nîmes Olympique, it will not be easy to dislodge him but he could be tempted by a new project in order to leave behind him the bad memories of the last seasons.
PABLO MARTINEZ, NIMES (30 matches)
He too, after an enriching experience in Strasbourg, then in Nîmes, he could bring all his experience to supervise the young defenders of Amiens. Skillful player in the head and in anticipation, he has very useful qualities in Ligue 2 BKT.
Others: Prince Oniangue (Caen), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Dijon).
A midfielder to rebuild.
While many departures are expected in this game sector, the place could be left to young players. However, in order to support them, it seems essential to involve more experienced players.
VICTOR LOBRY, PAU (37 matches, 5 goals, 3 assists)
The Axonais comes out of two accomplished seasons in Ligue 2 in Pau. At the end of the contract, he would like to discover Ligue 1 even if he has already made it known “that he did not intend to sit on the bench” in his next club. Like Jessy Benet, the step towards the elite could still be a little too high for him. In the meantime, his profile as an offensive torchbearer could prove valuable in Picardy.
Others: El Hadji Ba (Guingamp).
ANTHONY BELMONTE, GRENOBLE (17 matches, 1 but).
Holder at the end of the season under Philippe Hinschberger, during which the club was very close to the rise, Anthony continued his ascent at the start of the season. Gradually, he lost the trust of his trainer and, at the same time, his starting position. A player that the Amiens coach knows well.
Others: Warren Bondo (Nancy)
ZINEDINE FERHAT, NIMES (14 matches)
He is THE profile capable of changing a meeting. However, he has played very little this season, especially since his real-false start during the winter transfer window. It is still of interest to many Ligue 1 UberEats clubs (Saint-Etienne, Montpellier) but who tries nothing wins.
Others: Harrison Manzala (Bastia), Yeni N’Gbakoto (Nancy).
YOANN COURT, CAEN (18 matches, 2 goals, 6 assists)
Despite a rather low number of matches (a season marked by injuries), Yoann still delivered 6 assists, especially during the second half of the season, coinciding with Caen’s regained form.
Others: Mounir Chouiar, Dijon.
Trading on offense?
As we know, Amiens has already exercised the option to buy Aliou Badji. However, as the club is used to doing, it would not be against a sale (with capital gain) in stride. And if Tolu should stay, he will need players to surround him or replace him.
IBRAHIM SISSOKO, NIORT (24 matches, 10 goals, 1 assist)
With a finisher profile reminiscent of Aliou Badji, Ibrahim also has a game in depth superior to the latter. He could therefore perfectly replace the Amiens in the event of departure. Moreover, with his mobility, he would be the ideal counterpart of Tolu.
IDRISS SAADI, BASTIA (22 matches, 4 goals, 2 assists)
A less decisive player, he would nevertheless be useful in the collective, he who is able to pick up and carry the ball a little more. In addition, he could bring his experience to an Amiens attack which is sometimes sorely lacking in it (and thus, a little more “vice”).
Others: Duckens Nazon (QRM)
If it seems obvious that Amiens SC will not recruit 11 players, it is essential to seek for this transfer window (and quite quickly) players experienced in Ligue 2 games. And in order to make a minimum investment for an important rendering on the field, these players have all the bargain. It now remains to be patient and to trust the leaders to concoct a team capable of mingling for as long as possible with a place at the top of the table. In any case, the first movement concerned a player at the end of the contract, Antoine Leautey. What to give the trend of the transfer window 2022/2023?
Kévin KONRAD (with the Editor)
