Bakayoko, off the back of a highly successful season at AS Monaco, secured a €40m move to Chelsea in the summer of 2017. However, the former France international failed to consolidate a spot in the team under successive managers. Despite being at the club for six years, he only made 43 appearances, scoring three goals and registering three assists. 

The French midfielder has spent much of his time since 2017 on loan. In that time, he has had two spells at AC Milan, one in the 2018/19 season, before returning to the San Siro in the summer of 2021 on a two-year loan. The Stade Rennais academy product also spent one year on loan at Napoli, as well as another year at former club Monaco. “When I left Chelsea in 2018, it was because a new manager (Maurizio Sarri) arrived with Jorginho, and he told me that I would be below him in the hierarchy. I thought it was the best decision (to leave),” said Bakayoko in a pre-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe. 

Bakayoko’s second loan spell at AC Milan was much less successful than his first, and he featured sparingly in the title-winning season in 2021/22. He then featured just three times last season with AC Milan before seeing his Chelsea contract terminated. At that point, he had not featured for the Premier League club for five years. 

“In my career, the negative point is having been loaned out for so many seasons. I’m hoping to have a bit more continuity at a club from now on,” said Bakayoko, who made his debut for FC Lorient just before the international break in a 3-3 draw against Olympique Lyonnais. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Upon his retirement from professional football, Koscielny took up a coaching role within the backroom staff at Bordeaux. More recently, he was appointed as coach in Regis Le Bris’ backroom at Lorient. The former centre-back was initially appointed as a youth coach. When asked about why he decided to take the opportunity to coach in Brittany, he said: “My wife and I were wondering about the rest of our lives in Bordeaux, it was complicated to find any opportunities. Brittany was our number one choice to leave. I called Loic Férylle (the president of Lorient) and explained my project to him, and then the doors were open.”

The former French international was lucky to be managed by some top coaches during his playing career, he was asked if any coaches had an impact on his style. Koscielny replied: “Daniel Sanchez at Tours, Christian Gourcouff at Lorient, Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery at Arsenal, and Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps with France. They all influenced me. Even when it was more complicated, there were always discussions”. 

The Lorient coach also added he had been in contact with Arséne Wenger recently, saying “I spoke with Arséne on the phone recently… I know when I meet Arsène (Wenger) about managing a club, he will share his experiences of all those years in London.”

Koscielny doesn’t yet have all of the coaching badges to take full charge of a men’s professional team. L’Équipe asked him about his plans to complete his badges to which he responded: “You have to give me some time. I’m not going to take the place of Régis Le Bris! I’ve only been in Brittany for three months and we will see my career evolve step by step”.

GFFN | Liam Wraith

France U17 international Kroupi has burst onto the scene this season. During the last campaign, he made just one first-team appearance for the first-team, amassing a meagre seven minutes in Ligue 1. However, he has featured in Lorient’s last seven games in Ligue 1 this season, and he already has five goal involvements in just four starts for Les Merlus. 

At 17 years and 92 days old, he became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer in Ligue 1 when he scored against FC Nantes, and he became the youngest player since Bernard Zénier in 1974 to score a brace when he netted twice against Lyon last weekend. Kroupi’s performance against Lyon drew high praise from teammate Bakayoko, who joined the club on a free transfer this summer. 

“He’s a phenomenon. He reminds me a little of Kylian Mbappé in terms of the maturity of his game. He already has good stats for a youngster his age,” said Bakayoko in an interview transcribed by Ligue1.com.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Romain Faivre netted a dramatic late equaliser against his former club, to earn FC Lorient a point against AS Monaco (2-2). Folarin Balogun’s first goal for the Principality club had looked like being the difference. 

Monaco are used to going behind away from home this season. They did so against Clermont Foot and FC Nantes but rescued four points combined from those two games. The story repeated itself at Le Moustoir. Tosin Aiyegun, on debut, raced through in just the second minute, latching onto Eli Junior Kroupi’s pass and tucking past Philipp Köhn with a little help from the post. 

However, as they have a habit of doing, the Principality club fought back. Adi Hütter’s side quickly took control of the game, and whilst they struggled to create clear-cut chances, Youssuof Fofana unlocked Lorient’s defence with a deft, first-time-chip over the top. Aleksandr Golovin controlled expertly before tucking past Yvon Mvogo.

Fofana tested Mvogo twice early in the second half, and whilst Monaco were timidly knocking at the door, they were far from knocking it down. That changed with Folarin Balogun’s entry. The new signing needed just three minutes to get on the scoresheet, working a shooting position before beating Mvogo from a tight angle. 

Monaco looked to have secured the three points but with the last kick of the game, Faivre, against his former club, latched onto Isaak Touré’s knock-down, firing past Köhn to rescue a point. 

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Köhn – 5

Soungoutou Magassa – 5

Guillermo Maripán – 5

Wilfried Singo – 4

Caio Henrique – 6

Denis Zakaria – 6

Youssouf Fofana – 7 – The Frenchman has traversed a difficult few months. His form post-World Cup was arguably not befitting of an international level player and one that is a cadre of this Monaco side, but he is beginning to refind his best form. He was confident and composed against Lorient, displaying those line-breaking runs that earned him a place in Didier Deschamps’ side in the first place. His assist for Golovin was sublime and he was also not afraid to try his chance at goal, drawing two saves from Mvogo. 

Vanderson – 5

Aleksandr Golovin – 7 – after a subdued start to the season for his standards, he has flourished in the past two games. His control and finish evidenced his 

Takumi Minamino – 5 – a quieter performance for the Japanese forward relative to his recent matches. Remained tidy and still a threat. 

Wissam Ben Yedder – 4 – Struggled to involve himself in the game for large periods, despite some clever interventions, notably a volley just wide of the Lorient goal from a tight angle. Replaced by Folarin Balogun (7). The USMNT striker needed just three minutes to get on the scoresheet. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Balogun, at least in the short-term, is seemingly in competition for a starting place with Wissam Ben Yedder, despite manager Adi Hütter stating that the two can play together. The USMNT striker came off the bench to make his debut in a 3-0 victory against RC Lens before the international break, but he may now be set for a first start. 

Elsewhere, there are no fresh concerns for the Principality club. Camara is suspended, with new signing Zakaria set to replace him in the XI. There was bad news for Mohamed Salisu earlier this week, as it was announced that the former Southampton defender was to undergo surgery for pubalgia. The Ghanaian international was yet to make his debut for Les Monégasques. Breel Embolo remains a long-term absentee, whilst Eliesse Ben Seghir and Edan Diop are still sidelined. 

Monaco likely lineup v Lorient

Philipp Köhn; Soungoutou Magassa, Guillermo Maripán, Wilfried Singo; Caio Henrique, Youssouf Fofana, Denis Zakaria, Vanderson; Aleksandr Golovin, Folarin Balogun, Takumi Minamino. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

According to Lorient head coach Régis Le Bris, Mendy is in line to make the playing squad on Sunday. “Benjamin had eight weeks and three days of physical training. He went through the various steps of preparation and he is in good condition. Will he be in the squad? It’s possible, he’s eligible“, said Le Bris in his pre-game press conference transcribed by Ouest-France. The Lorient manager is adamant that the 2018 World Cup winner will not start against Les Monégasques. Mendy has not played a single professional game for more than two years now.

Mendy sealed a shock return to Ligue 1 several days after being cleared of all charges of sexual crimes in July by the Chester Crown Court. The former Marseille and Monaco left-back signed a two-year deal with Lorient. The outlet understands that Mendy returned to full training at the start of the month.

Even if found innocent of all counts of sexual crimes held against him, Mendy remains at the receiving end of hostile banners displayed in Lorient. Ouest-France are reporting that, last night, a Lorient-based collective looking to denounce sexist and sexual acts of violence in football displayed banners in the Brittany town pointing the finger at Mendy.

Noël Le Graët and Luis Rubiales, who both resigned from their post as head of their country’s football federations amid accusations of lewd behavior towards women, were also targeted. “Victims we believe you“, “Mendy in the pubs, unease at Lorient”, “8 charges against Mendy” were some of the slogans displayed on those hostile banners.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Despite United sanctioning a loan move for Van de Beek, the former Ajax midfielder refused to speak to representatives of Lorient and the move seemingly collapsed. As the clock began to tick towards the end of the window, the 26-year-old’s agents contacted representatives of the Breton club to try and reopen discussions over a potential loan move. 

Bemused by the initial treatment of Donny van de Beek towards the club when transfer negotiations began, Lorient closed the door on a potential loan move and the former Everton loanee looks set to remain in Manchester until at least the January transfer window. Instead of signing van de Beek, Lorient opted to sign former Chelsea and Monaco midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko on a free transfer. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

The North-Eastern club had to fight off interest from Almeria to get a deal done for Aouchiche late in the window but prevailed successfully in their pursuit of the French U20 international. Sunderland made an intensive effort to sign graduates from PSG’s academy on deadline day after trying to sign Timothée Pembélé and Édouard Michut. The Championship side were successful in signing Pembélé but were unable to bring Michut back to the Stadium of Light. 

Aouchiche was Sunderland’s fourth deadline-day recruit. The 21-year-old won the Coupe de France and Ligue 1 during his time in France and made 81 appearances in the French top flight. He played 13 times for Lorient in all competitions last season, scoring 1 goal and assisting a further 3. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Touré leaves Marseille on a permanent deal, just one year after joining the club from Le Havre. He spent the second half of last season on loan at AJ Auxerre, but despite some good performances, couldn’t prevent the club from relegation. Meïté impressed for Lorient last season, making 17 appearances in his first season of top-flight professional football. Lorient signed the defender from Stade Lavallois in 2020 on a free transfer and he will now play in Europe with OM next season. Meïté’s loan to Marcelino’s side includes an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. It has not been revealed whether Lorient have paid a fee for Touré, and if so, how much. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The Senegal international spent last season on loan at Como where he made 17 appearances and kept six clean sheets. 

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Mannone left les Merlus to join Lille, after featuring in 20 Ligue 1 matches last season whilst Swiss international Mvogo was injured. He signed a two year deal with Les Dogues and became the seventh summer recruit for Lille, filling the void left by former Auxerre and Bordeaux keeper Benoît Costil.

Gomis joins another Ligue 1 club after having previously played for Dijon where the shotstopper made 26 appearances and kept seven clean sheets.

GFFN | George Boxall