New LOSC boss Jocelyn Gourvennec insists the Ligue 1 Uber Eats champions haven't weakened their squad in the summer transfer window.
The northern club have taken five points from their opening four games of the their title defence. Major players to depart in the summer were goalkeeper Mike Maignan, midfielder Boubakary Soumaré and forward Luiz Araujo, though the core of the title-winning squad was retained. Joining LOSC were goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson and midfielder Amadou Onana.
"We've got two players for every position"
Gourvennec commented: "Our squad is very competitive. The players have more experience. We've managed to keep the majority of the squad that took part in the Champions League two seasons ago, when most of them played in that competition for the first time. Our younger players now have one or two more seasons under their belts and so they're more competitive. We've got two players for every position and the real verdict on our summer transfer business will only come in in May."
The former Bordeaux and Guingamp coach is happy with the balance of his squad: "We kept everybody apart from Maignan and Soumaré, who have been replaced in the squad. We could have found somebody with the profile of Luiz Araujo but we have young players who can play in his style. It's down to us to help them be more consistent."
"We tried things"
Gourvennec did reveal one regret from the window: "It was difficult from an economic standpoint but we tried things. I would have liked another experienced attacking player but I stand firmly behind the club's decisions and I understand the imperatives."
