FC Nantes - The Rebellious Straight A Student

NANTES LAND CRISTIANO



FC Nantes has sensationally signed Cristiano on loan until the end of the season.

Although it’s not the Cristiano Nantes fans would have prayed for, the Brazilian known for his flair and dribbling qualities may sign on a permanent deal next season for just £150,000 from Vitoria de Setubal in the Liga Zon Sagres.

“I delighted to be here at Nantes. It’s a new challenge for me but one I believe is feasible.”

Karembeu was excited with his new signing, claiming he believed there was no player in the league like him.

“He’s a fine dribbler of the ball. That’s a category that puts him ahead of many players in the league and I’m very happy to have captured a player of his calibre.

“We’ve been after Cristiano for some weeks and it was difficult at times to strike a deal with Setubal without putting our financial balance at risk bet I feel we have concluded a great signing for the club.”

LYON STARLET JOINS NANTES



Highly rated Rachid Ghezzal has become FC Nantes third signing of the season and joins on loan until the end of the season.

The Algerian youngster will be after some precious experience at Nantes following a brief emergence into the Olympique Lyonnais team last season.

The winger is believed to act as cover for FC Nantes’ talisman Vincent Bessat.

KAREMBEU CALLS UPON QUARTET



Christian Karembeu has called for his stars to lead the way in FC Nantes’ attack for promotion.

Karembeu believes his side stand a good chance of going up and has laid his hopes on vice-captain Lucas Deaux, Filip Djordjevic, Vincent Bessat and wanted winger Serge Gakpe.

“We have a young but solid squad here at Nantes. It is evident we don’t have the same resources they have at Monaco or even Auxerre but I believe these four players will be fundamental to us if we are to get promoted.

“Lucas is vice-captain and I believe he can be our skipper one day. He was fantastic at Stade de Reims so he knows exactly what expected of him.

“Bessat was key for us in 2011/12 and I’ll be expecting him to improve on his form last season and give us that extra edge to our game.

“We then have Filip who’s a proven goalscorer and Gakpe whose interest from Lille speaks for itself. I firmly believe we can start a fresh here and look upwards.”

LES CANARIS DOUBLE SWOOP



FC Nantes’ total of signing has risen to five following the capture of Enar Jaager & Louis Poggi.

Jaager joins the club as a free agent until 2014 while 28 year old Poggi comes to Nantes at a zero cost basis from Ligue 2 rivals Gazelec FC Ajaccio also on a two year deal.

These two signings see Christian Karembeu bolster the defence and midfield but despite his absence in the joint announcement press conference, the Nantes boss was quick to rule out any more buys this term on the club website.

COUPE DE LA LIGUE
FIRST ROUND DRAW



FC Nantes has been drawn up against Auxerre in what looks to be the pick of the round.

AS Monaco will also have a tough task at home to overcome recently relegated Stade Caen.

PRE-SEASON REVIEW

FC Nantes 1-0 FC Nantes Reserves
Vannes OC 1-3 FC Nantes
FC Nantes 3-1 Santos Laguna
FC Nantes 5-4 Hamburg
FC Nantes 4-2 AFC Compiegne

Karembeu on Pre-season: “We’ve had a great pre-season by winning all our games which is more than I could have asked for. We showed great category against top sides such as Hamburg and Santos Laguna and I believe our preparation will place us in the right direction ahead of our first game of the season.”

“I would have liked to have conceded fewer goals and it’s a shame we only got to play one away game but I’m sure my team will adapt to all circumstances and start the season strong. We are in good shape.”

KAREMBEU TIPS MONACO



FC Nantes boss, Christian Karembeu believes AS Monaco is the favourite to win Ligue 2 ahead of their first game of the season at home to Istres.

Despite him believing Monaco will be challenged closely, he can’t see the title going anywhere other than the principality.

“Monaco won’t be short of challengers, that’s for sure but the quality of their squad and the resources given to them I believe are far too superior and I would be surprised if they didn’t win the title.

“That’s not to say they definitely will win the league but I’m a realistic guy and as it stands, other teams will have to do very well to stand up to Lucas Ocampos and co.”

“We’ll certainly aim to stop them however. We are here to win, to earn promotion. Our journey starts today against an at times stubborn Istres side but I believe we have enough the get the three points on the board early.”

PANCRATE DOWNS ISTRES



A late Fabrice Pancrate goal was enough to seal all three points for FC Nantes in their 1-0 win at home to Istres.

The Western duo produced a far from memorable game, the only chance coming from a Serge Gakpe’s first half strike that was comfortably tipped over the bar by Istres keeper Lucas Veronese.

Karembeu launched in an extra striker later in the second half, replacing new signing Cristiano for Pancrate.

It wasn’t long before the second chance of the game occurred after a low cross from Gakpe found the veteran at back post who safely tapped it in.

Nantes now occupy 8th place.

Nimes Olympiques 0-0 FC Nantes



“A Bore Draw”