Since this season, the French Championship has become the most Russian among the elite. But if “Monaco” by Alexander Golovin and “Le Havre” by Daler Kuzyaev are under the attention of our fans, then “Clermont” is not so much. Although there are already three former RPL players performing there: Maximiliano Cofrie, Shamar Nicholson (both from Spartak) and Mehdi Zeffan (Wings of the Soviets).
What’s more, the second is still the rojiblancos’, only Guillermo Abascal has not served this season and will return in the summer. Unless, of course, the striker is bought. By that time, his French team will likely have been demoted, so the option is unlikely to be activated.
“Clermont”
Photo: IMAGO/PanoramiC/TASS
Things are going very badly for Clermont.
Last season, the team finished eighth in Ligue 1, and this was a real shock: they were considered almost the main outsider, and were even trying to get into the European competition. What is even more paradoxical is that they did it with a negative goal difference (-4). The brightest moment for Pascal Gastien’s boys was the comeback in an unequal fight with PSG at the Parc des Princes, even thanks to Zeffan’s goal they changed 0-2 to 3-2. Now everything has fallen into place.
The last round gave Clermont a victory over Kuzyaev’s Le Havre (2-1), but this feat should not be misleading: previously, the Clermont team had only won three points in 25 matches three times. The draws and especially the defeats (8 and 14) left them in last place.
The difference with Nantes in the transition zone is five points. And this is not the case in Sochi, where the worst representative of the league strengthened noticeably to save itself in the winter. The three newcomers are on loan and are no more than 21 years old:
central defender in Monaco’s rotation Chrislen Matsima (248 minutes); Rennes central defender and substitute Jeremy Jacques (4 minutes); Lille left winger and trader Alain Virginhos (71 minutes in Ligue 1 in half a season).
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At the same time, the club loaned its most expensive player (also a central defender) Alida Seydou to Rennes for 11 million euros. He was replaced quantitatively, but not qualitatively. And a scoring forward wouldn’t hurt the Clermont team, with 19 goals in 26 games. They are simply poor and used to saving. Two eloquent facts:
His most expensive transfer of the season is the purchase of Cofrier for 3.50 million euros; The Club spends the least on salaries in Ligue 1: 7.35 million euros per year. Only Lee Kang-in, who is not a superstar, earns more at PSG.
You understand the level, right? So how can you maintain your place in the elite? Clermont’s staff is estimated at 52 million euros; Only Metz (45.7 million euros), which is also in the relegation zone, is cheaper. In the previous championship the situation was similar, and then the Clermont team produced a fairy tale. As we see, it cannot last forever.
Maximiliano Cofrié
Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images
What about the former RPL heroes?
Last season, Cofrier, with the joy of moving to France, showed a good level: on average he made 1.3 interceptions and 1.5 tackles, in addition to committing only 1.1 fouls per game. He won 61% of single combats and 57% of horse duels. Under his command, Clermont did not concede a goal in seven games out of 26. The red-haired genius only got one red card all season, can you imagine? Those who watched him in the RPL will probably be surprised by these statistics. Furthermore, in France the level of resistance is higher.
In the 2023/2024 season, the Belgian’s enthusiasm evaporated. There have been more tackles (1.9 on average), but otherwise the numbers are not outstanding: an average of two fouls, one interception, 49% of fights won and 52% of successful equestrian fights. And two more eliminations and the same number of “crackers” in 15 games.
Especially notable was the meeting with Rennes. Max left his teammates in the minority just before half-time due to a reckless foul in the center of the field, when the team had a minimal advantage. In the second half, the rival scored a three-pointer without an answer. Cofrier’s average rating on the SofaScore portal a season earlier was decent (6.96), but now he is quite mediocre (6.65).
The defender did not impress in Russia either:
Cofrier is sent off in every five Spartak games. What are your strengths?
Shamar is doing quite well: in 21 games he scored 4+3. In terms of goals, he is the club’s second: attacking midfielder Mohammed Cham scored 4 + 4, although he played 557 more minutes. It is true that the forward on loan from Spartak should have scored more often: he has 6.59 xG. He has the worst implementation among the Clermont team.
She makes up for her excellent dispatching skills: 1.19 xA (expected assists). In the match against Lyon (2-1), the Jamaican, for example, twisted and planted former Zenit player Dejan Lovren on the grass, and then executed a perfect shot at the far post: Cham himself could only head into space . near the corner.
On a stronger team, Nicholson’s numbers would likely be more impressive. SofaScore gave it a score of 6.88. It’s not a real surprise, but it’s definitely not a shame either. If Clermont is relegated and Spartak says goodbye to Guillermo Abascal, Shamar will most likely have another chance to show himself in Russia.
Shamar Nicholson
Photo: IMAGO/PanoramiC/TASS
Zeffan became a resident of Clermont shortly before Coffrier. But, unlike the then tough Belgian, he ended up in the rotation: only seven of the 18 times he was given were in the starting eleven. In addition to the PSG goal, he also assisted Lyon (2-1).
The versatile right back has no impact this season with 1.37 xG and 0.22 xA. And overall, in Clermont’s last six games he has only played 15 minutes. Although he made it through the first five rounds at the start. The average score of Algerians is 6.62. It’s definitely not the ultimate dream.
Mehdi Zeffan
Photo: Zuma/TASS
Mehdi’s contract expires in the summer. He played in the FNL for Wings and soon after won the African Cup of Nations. He is now 32 years old, so why not extend the deal and compete in the French equivalent of the “Best League in the World”? There is still little doubt that Clermont will end up there.
