MHSC: between the order of the game and the disorder of the transfer window, what squad for Montpellier this season ?

Téji Savanier will be there for one more season to lead the Pailladins. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Which team will Michel Der Zakarian have on hand to face the Nantes team of rival Kita on August 31, the day after the transfer window closes ?

A slow market, the Olympic tournament and the financial crisis mean that Montpellier has started the season with a variable-geometry squad. And to resolve, a few unknowns.

Need for executives

Since Vitorino Hilton's retirement in 2021, Montpellier has been looking for executives. Neither Mamadou Sakho, nor Valère Germain, nor Wahbi Khazri, still there, have assumed their responsibility in a club with pailladin codes.
In the midst of a crisis, the executives will have to structure a team promised to rejuvenation.

Read also: MHSC: Joris Chotard back from the Olympics, Sagnan and Kouyaté in recovery… the Montpellier group is expanding four days before Ligue 1

Failing that, Nicollin, Mézy or Der Zakarian will have to replace these players, find the words to transcend a group lacking consistency and too often fatalistic.

Middle to review

The environment is the center of the construction site. And the center of recurring criticism for several seasons. The staff and management of the MHSC have agreed to renew it. To take care of recovering the ball, around athletic players, and free Téji Savanier in his role as playmaker.

Also read: MHSC: the fall in TV rights handicaps the ambitions of Montpellier, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this season

The probable transfer of Joris Chotard promises a great void, palpable given his performance over the past two years and his presence on the French Olympic team. The defensive midfielder (22 years old) combines so many qualities that are sometimes minimized: investment, working behind the scenes, taking responsibility in the game, spokesperson and close link with Téji Savanier.

🇫🇷 Notre médaillé 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝 🥈🧡@Paris2024 @jeuxolympiques @equipedefrance @Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/RZCCpzfD1d

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) August 14, 2024

The possible recruit will be there to take over from Chotard in an environment destined to have possession and to reconquer La Mosson. With only three wins last year at home, Montpellier has targeted its margin of progress. The first matches against Strasbourg, Nantes and Auxerre, direct opponents, will be so many clues on the path to redemption.

Adams, the next season

More control at La Mosson, more play and less transition: this desire, taken care of during preparation, must be accompanied by a scorer. After a first season, well started and poorly finished (8 goals), will center forward Akor Adams assume this role??

Also read: "Over the next three seasons, we are going to be very far from the amounts we had" : the MHSC and Ligue 1 facing TV rights problems

After long-term preparation, can he assert himself as the successor to Elye Wahi (19 goals) ?
The solid Nigerian striker, who arrived from the unknown Norwegian championship last summer, is attracting all eyes. Unless the transfer window redefines the roles.