Have Lille handed the title back to PSG without kicking a ball?
After a decade of waiting for the Ligue 1 title, the historical trophy-winning team of Lille could be no more when the next season begins.
Lille manager Christophe Galtier has already departed, and it seems many players could soon follow suit.
A number of players will surely be on the radar of many teams across Europe as Lille will begin a new season with a new manager.
And the dailymail.co.uk reports that after leading Lille to the title, players such as Jonathan Ikone, Sven Botman and Leicester target Boubakary Soumare are some of the ones looking to leave especially as Lille manager Christophe Galtier resigned from his post to join what looks to be Nice, only two days after winning Ligue 1, with a year still left on his contract.
Another key player that could be on the way out is sought after right back Mehmet Zeki Celik and a number of clubs are after the signature of the Turkish defender.
One of those clubs could well be Arsenal, who are looking for a right back if current defender Hector Bellerin is to leave.
Celik is only 24 years old but Arsenal have been watching him for a while and are impressed with him. His performances this season and the fact he is a Ligue 1 champion with Lille will do him the world of good to become a contender to either replace or play competing alongside the likes of Bellerin at Arsenal.
The Gunners have been impressed by the right-back’s performances this season, and with the way he manages to keep the ball, his skill in possession and his added threat going forward, along with his ability to press and win possession high up the pitch he is surely what Arsenal have been lacking, as we have been witness to at times during this past season.
As Mikel Arteta also seems to prefer using young players in his team, Celik would do him the world of good if he was to add him to his ranks.
With another two years left on his contract at Lille after joining in 2018 and being valued at around £13m Arsenal would not need to break the bank to sign Celik, but the lack of European football for the Gunners may come in to play against them, especially as Lille are guaranteed Champions League football.
Celik boasts 103 appearances and five goals in three years at Lille, and for a defender the goals stats are not too bad yet he has 21 yellow cards and one red in his time in France. Not the worst record but not the best, and as Arsenal have struggled with their disciplinary record under Arteta this will need to be reviewed and changed.
Either way, if Arsenal can get Celik for a bargain they will surely have a talented player in their ranks and who knows the damage he can cause in a partnership with Arsenal’s many talented players!
For Lille, though it doesn’t look promising that after a title winning season, first the manager and then many key players seem to be going out of the door, and for Lille fans, they may have to wait another 10 years to become champions again.
Avid football fan and worldwide football journalist/reporter!
