Ligue 1: Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille project an intriguing gamble as they aim to catch Kylian Mbappe-less PSG

France’s Ligue 1 is not experiencing it is happiest period this summer with a brewing financial crisis related to the underwhelming domestic and international television rights situation. That follows hot on the heels of Kylian Mbappe’s departure from flagship club Paris Saint-Germain to European kings Real Madrid. French professional soccer is struggling for visibility even in some major markets yet it is against this backdrop that one of Europe’s most intriguing projects will play out this season.

When Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton and Hove Albion went their separate ways back in May, the expectation was that the Italian tactician was likely destined for a top job. Whether that was in the English Premier League, back in his native Italy’s Serie A or with a European giant like Bayern Munich, the queue for his services appeared long. That Olympique de Marseille and Stade Velodrome turned out to be the 45-year-old’s destination of choice was surprising to say the least.

OM are coming into the 2024-25 campaign having finished eighth in an 18-team Championnat with no UEFA competition to look forward to this term despite last year’s Europa League semifinals run which ended in defeat to eventual winners Atalanta BC. Marseille might be a big fish in what might feel like a shrinking Ligue 1 pond right now but the potential for Les Phoceens to actually compete with an Mbappe-less PSG under De Zerbi is tantalizing.

France’s topflight must rebuild with less television money flowing to the clubs while being propped up by a challenged private equity deal and a steady stream of its biggest names leaving with Mbappe following Lionel Messi and Neymar out of the league. Had PSG managed to beat Borussia Dortmund and potentially toppled Real Madrid in last campaign’s Champions League, things might have been a little different in terms of optics but this is the hand that Ligue 1 has dealt itself through years of mismanagement.

Equally as surprising as De Zerbi arriving in Marseille then has been how active OM have been this summer transfer window with a revolving door of talent coming in and out of the club for a net spend of just under $10 million. Elye Wahi, Ismael Kone, Geronimo Rulli, Derek Cornelius, Valentin Carboni, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lilian Brassier, Bamo Meite and Jeffrey de Lange have all come in along with the highly controversial signing of Mason Greenwood from Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Jonathan Clauss, Pape Gueye and Jordan Amavi have all been allowed to move on with Vitinha and Matteo Guendouzi also making loan moves permanent. There is still time for more movement in and out of Stade Velodrome — although probably not before the new season gets underway on Saturday away at last year’s surprise package Stade Brestois 29 — but this already has the makings of a De Zerbi group.

“We will be able to be a little more precise regarding our objectives at the end of the transfer window,” the Italian told L’Equipe. “The most important thing is to make every OM supporter proud and happy — from the owner to the fans. Make them proud of the players and their coach. We must see a united team right away with brains but also soul. We are working on that. Expectations are high but we accept that. We have strong players and I am not the type to hide if I do not succeed in my mission.”

De Zerbi’s competitive home debut will come in a week or so when Stade de Reims visit the southern giants in the second round of Championnat games. Stade Velodrome has fallen in love with Marcelo Bielsa and his disciples such as Jorge Sampaoli and now it could be the former Brighton and Shakhtar Donetsk man’s turn. Either way, for a Ligue 1 product that is struggling for value at present, what could be an explosive marriage between De Zerbi and OM promises to be box office on a weekly basis.