Paris FC are beginning their second season back in Ligue 1. After a 46-year absence, the club finished 11th and ended the campaign 12 points clear of the relegation play-off zone. They therefore secured survival without too much stress, and the club’s hierarchy decided to take another step forward over the summer. They changed their head coach and brought in several players to help the team improve on last year’s finish.

Liam Rosenior begins a new project

After parting ways with Antoine Kombouaré, Liam Rosenior took charge of the team. The Englishman signed a contract until 2028 and returns to Ligue 1 after his spell at Strasbourg. He made his name there as a coach who focuses on developing young players and playing possession-based football. At Paris FC, he will have the chance to develop this approach at a club whose ambitions are steadily growing.

Kombouaré’s main task was to keep the team in the league, and he achieved that. Now Paris FC want to play with more ambition, although the change in style will not happen overnight. Rosenior must convince both the players who stayed at the club and the new arrivals of his ideas. To begin with, the most important thing will be to maintain a safe position in the table.

Kebbal remains at the heart of the team

Ilan Kebbal remains one of Paris FC’s most important players. Last season, he recorded 13 goal involvements in Ligue 1 and was often responsible for creating chances. He is good at finding space between the lines, and his passing and set pieces are an important part of the team’s attack. Moses Simon also brings a lot to the side, using his pace and relishing the chance to take on defenders on the wing.

Pablo Pagis joined from Lorient over the summer, as did Lassine Sinayoko from Auxerre. Pagis finished last season with 10 goals and 5 assists in Ligue 1. He can play as a centre-forward, on the wing or just behind the striker. Sinayoko brings experience from French football and gives Rosenior another attacking option. Luca Koleosho also made his move permanent, joining from Burnley after a loan spell. His pace and ability to play on either wing could see him compete with Simon for a place in the team.

Changes and investment in the squad

Paris FC also retained Diego Coppola, signing the Italian defender permanently after his loan spell from Brighton. The centre-back joined the team in the winter and had time to show what he can do. He is strong in physical duels and can help the team build from the back. The club also brought in Patrick Zabi from Reims. The young midfielder was one of the more expensive signings of the summer and has the chance to gradually earn an important role. Emmanuel Mbemba, a France youth international, arrived from PSG.

Ciro Immobile left the team after announcing his retirement just before the start of the season. Willem Geubbels moved to Lecce, while Alimami Gory and Tuomas Ollila also left the club. Experienced players Timothée Kolodziejczak, Sofiane Alakouch and Rémy Riou also departed Paris. Losing Immobile means the club are without an experienced striker, but the new arrivals give Rosenior the chance to explore other options.

Experience alongside youth

Paris FC are not relying solely on new signings. Pierre Lees-Melou can still bring order to the midfield, Maxime Lopez is responsible for dictating play, and Hamari Traoré brings experience at right-back. Kevin Trapp and Obed Nkambadio are competing for the goalkeeping spot.

Players like these will be needed over the course of a long season, especially when the younger members of the squad begin to feel the pressure of results. Rosenior has a group with a varied mix of ages and experience at his disposal. Now he must decide how best to make use of its potential.

Growing ambitions

Paris FC do not want to settle for survival alone. Last season’s 11th-place finish provides a solid starting point, and the summer signings show that the club intend to steadily raise their level. Much will depend on how quickly the team adapts to the new coach’s ideas and how the summer arrivals settle in. If Kebbal maintains his form and the new players chip in with goals and assists, Paris FC could improve on their position.