<p>With no indications of a solution in sight, the Kylian Mbappe saga has been the focal point of another summer transfer market, leaving his status for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psg-tv-schedule/">PSG</a> against Lorient up in the air.</p>



<p>The 24-year-old player has chosen to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mbappe-informs-psg-he-wont-leave-club-this-summer-says-report-20230810-WST-449073.html">depart as a free agent</a> after rejecting a contract extension offer. To avoid losing their star player for nothing, the Ligue 1 winners are hoping to ship him off this summer.</p>



<p>That means the summer transfer window’s potential climax might be rather exciting. PSG <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/psg-relegates-mbappe-to-b-team-training-during-transfer-saga-20230807-WST-448424.html">locked Mbappe out of the main squad</a>. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claimed the club would not allow him to go on a free transfer.</p>



<h2>PSG will do without Mbappe in season opener against Lorient</h2>



<p>There is some doubt entering the new season for the defending French champions, and it isn’t only about Kylian Mbappe. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/podcast/neymar-to-mls-world-soccer-talk-podcast-20230810-WST-449323.html">Neymar</a> and Marco Verratti are also considering their options outside of the club.</p>



<p>Paris Saint-Germain opens the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season on Saturday, September 12, at home against Lorient. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/luis-enrique-may-leave-psg-after-one-month-says-report-20230804-WST-447719.html">Luis Enrique</a> is gearing up for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/luis-enrique-set-to-join-psg-as-new-manager-20230618-WST-438373.html">his debut season</a> as the Parisians’ head coach. He takes over from Christopher Galtier, who PSG sacked at the end of last season.</p>



<p>Now, the Spanish boss has weighed in on whether his most prized asset will be present in the squad’s league opener against Lorient. Nonetheless, he is keeping his fingers crossed that the 2018 World Cup victor can come to an agreement. Any team with Kylian Mbappe, particularly PSG, is a better team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luis Enrique on Mbappé: “It was already a situation that had happened in the past… and a positive outcome had been found”. 🔴🔵🇫🇷<br><br>“I hope for an agreement between the club and Kykian. It’s something that I would like very much”. <a href="https://t.co/UH75LvEMr6">pic.twitter.com/UH75LvEMr6</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689964965803831296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>“This is a matter that already happened in the past, that was resolved positively between the club and the player, before I was here. And I hope that what happened in the past will happen again – that the club and the player reach an agreement. That is what I would like”, Enrique said at a press conference.</p>



<h5>Luis Enrique fires warning to Mbappe</h5>



<p>He did, however, reiterate the warning that his club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, had already delivered to the French striker. The Spaniard stressed that the team’s interests should come before those of any one player.</p>



<p>“Having said that, I remember our president’s words, the philosophy of the club is very clear: the club is above all players, coaches, football directors, and it is something that I fully share”, he added.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


PSG boss reveals decision on Mbappe inclusion vs Lorient

Before the start of the new Ligue 1 season, Enrique addressed the question of whether or not Kylian Mbappe will play for PSG against Lorient.

<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-history-of-manchester-united-vs-manchester-city-gary-james-interview-video-20130406-CMS-52551.html">Manchester City</a> defender Benjamin Mendy signed a contract with Ligue 1 side Lorient on Wednesday. The French fullback agreed to a two-year deal with Les Merlus just five days after being acquitted of rape. Lorient finished 10th in the French top flight last season.</p>



<p>“FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy,” said the club in an <a href="https://www.fclorient.bzh/benjamin-mendy-signe-deux-ans-au-fc-lorient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official statement</a>. </p>



<p>“After having satisfied the traditional medical examination, Benjamin Mendy, world champion 2018, quadruple winner of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> under the colors of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco in particular, comes to reinforce the Lorient workforce for this new season.”</p>



<h5>Frenchman was previously most expensive defender</h5>



<p>Mendy previously joined Manchester City in 2017 in a deal from Monaco worth around $67 million. At the time it was the most expensive transfer for a defender in the history of the game. The Frenchman collected three Premier League titles during his stay with City. Nevertheless, Mendy recently departed the English side after his contract with the club expired. He last played for the Premier League champs nearly two years ago.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Benjamin Mendy signs for Lorient" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O9xL0oush8Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>City suspended Mendy in August of 2021 after British police arrested him because of rape allegations. The Frenchman remained in custody for five months at the time. Jurors in the initial trial of the case could not come to a verdict on the multiple counts of rape and attempted rape. This forced a re-trial which just concluded last week. A jury acquitted Mendy of the charges and eventually released.</p>



<h2>Mendy may play one more match in England with Lorient</h2>



<p>Although the player opted to depart England, he may be set for a match on the South Coast in August. Lorient will face Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on August 5th. The French side will then open their Ligue 1 campaign with a tough test against reigning champions <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psg-tv-schedule/">Paris Saint-Germain</a> a week later.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Benjamin Mendy joins French club days after rape trial

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has joined Ligue 1 side Lorient only five days after being acquitted of rape in England.

Benjamin Mendy joins French club days after rape trial - World Soccer Talk

<p>Amid intense interest from some of Europe’s elite, French midfielder Enzo Le Fée recently signed a contract that will keep him at Lorient until 2024. Despite the new contract’s low value (he reportedly will receive just $2,000 per week, which is nearly $20,000 lower than the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ligue-un-tv-schedule/">Ligue 1</a> average), it has not stopped some big Premier League clubs showing interest in midfielder Enzo Le Fée.&nbsp;</p>



<p>West Ham and Fulham have all scouted Le Fée, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. Le Fée isn’t just attracting attention from mid-table Premier League sides. He’s attracted attention from Newcastle, Lazio, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Sociedad.</p>



<h2>Why Enzo Le Fée is generating so much interest</h2>



<p>Surprisingly, <a href="https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/11/15/leicester-now-face-competition-from-nice-for-enzo-le-fee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leicester are leading the race to sign Le Fée</a> going into the summer transfer window. The heads at the King Power Stadium have touted Le Fée as a replacement for Youri Tielemans, which might not be surprising considering their similar physique and playmaking abilities.</p>



<p>It would not be a bad idea to sign Le Fée considering his incredible attributes and small price tag. Valued at around 13 million dollars, he has the ability to burst onto the scene at a very small price. Keep an eye on these sneaky, underrated French midfielder.</p>



<p>Enzo Le Fée was born in Lorient, right in the shadow of the Stade du Moustoir. It’s fitting that he grew up inside the academy, joining Lorient at eight years old. After making his way through Lorient, he made his debut for the senior team in 2020 while Lorient was still in Ligue 2.</p>



<p>After a brief cameo in a relatively underwhelming 2018/19 season, Le Fée played a crucial part in Lorient’s campaign to promotion. Lorient went on to win Ligue 2 as Le Fée notched two assists. As Lorient struggled to stay afloat, finishing 16th two years straight, Le Fée stepped into the limelight. Across two seasons, Le Fée would get eight assists, two goals, and would play a big role in Lorient’s attempts to fend off relegation.</p>



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<p>It brings us to Le Fée’s breakout season. With <a href="https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/10/lorients-unique-overperforming-attack-under-regis-le-bris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lorient massively overachieving</a>; they are fifth in the table; Le Fée has garnered continental attention with his breakout season. His stats; two goals and three assists; do not nearly capture his impact on both Lorient and Ligue 1.</p>



<p>He’s one integral piece of a very successful puzzle for Lorient. He links together a team of exciting prodigies like Terem Moffi (10 goals, third in Ligue 1) and Dango Ouattara (5 goals, 4 assists).</p>



<h4>How Le Fee plays</h4>



<p>Words would not do Enzo Le Fée justice. His defensive prowess and offensive lethality has made him untouchable in the depth chart for Lorient. Lorient, a pretty laid-back team that does not need possession to thrive, can count on Le Fée’s pace on counter-attack and his strength on defense as well. His impressive passing and finishing only makes him one of the best midfielders in France right now.</p>



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<p>At first glance, Le Fée invites comparisons to the <a href="https://historyofsoccer.info/la-masia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>La Masia </em>breed of midfielders; </a>like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Thiago. Like the Barcelona midfielders, Le Fée is more than happy to take a dribble or two. Yet, unlike the midfielders that played for Barcelona, Le Fée is much more involved defensively.</p>



<p>His play has been molded by Lorient’s conservative playstyle that minimizes risks. But, it’s for the better. Le Fée is dominant defensively and threatening offensively.</p>



<p>Le Fée usually lines up as one of the two attacking midfielders in a 4-1-4-1, or as one of the two defensive midfielders in a 4-2-3-1. Le Fée has lined up as a right-winger at times, and he’s occasionally played as a traditional center midfielder. No matter what formation, Le Fée can still make plays on either side of the ball.</p>



<p>His three assists this season have been flashy but fundamental at the same time. Against Ajaccio, Le Fée played a couple of one-twos to start a big counter-attack that ended with him playing a big through-ball through the defense for the match-winner. Le Fée created Lorient’s sole goal against Nice when he whipped in a great corner. And against French giants PSG, Le Fée played a sneaky through-ball into the box to beat two defenders, culminating in a goal for <em>Les Merlus</em>.</p>



<p> But when Le Fée strikes, his goals are extraordinary. He opened the scoring against Lyon with a banging free-kick, which helped his side win 3-1.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Vous prendrez quoi pour le petit-déjeuner ? <br>Est-ce qu&apos;un coup-franc d&apos;<a href="https://twitter.com/enzolefee_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@enzolefee_</a> vous conviendrait ? 🪄😋 <a href="https://t.co/2kcKDxcgER">pic.twitter.com/2kcKDxcgER</a></p>— FC LORIENT 🐟 (@FCLorient) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCLorient/status/1567748342716809216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>His second goal of the season, against lowly Auxerre, came when Le Fée burst between two defenders before laying the ball off to an unmarked Dango Ouattara. Although the Auxerre keeper saved Ouattara’s shot, Le Fée easily converted the shot to give Lorient a comfy 3-0 lead.</p>



<h4>Transfer target</h4>



<p>As the winter transfer draws near, Le Fée will hope to attract even more suitors with good performance against mediocre sides Montpellier and Angers. Lorient will want to keep their impressive form as they aim for a Conference League spot and beyond. </p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Kirchner-Media</em></p>


Enzo Le Fée attracting interest from Premier League clubs

Several Premier League clubs are showing interest in Enzo Le Fée, the talented midfield maestro who began his career at Lorient.

Enzo Le Fée attracting interest from Premier League clubs - World Soccer Talk

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Enzo Le Fée attracting interest from Premier League clubs