Last season was one of the most exciting ever in French women’s football, and this 2021-22 campaign is looking to be just as exciting as the last! Transfers, new goals, and the Aussies in France: here’s all you need to know about D1 Arkema 2021-22.
D1 Arkema: a big transfer window!
This transfer window in the D1 Arkema has been moving with more than 100 players included!
Big teams had big moves as the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain added French internationals Elisa de Almeida (Montpellier HSC) and Sakina Karchaoui (Lyon), Sweden’s Amanda Ilestesdt (Bayern München), Champions League winner Kheira Hamraoui (FC Barcelona), and Canadian Olympic champion Stephanie Labbé (FC Rosengård).
Their rivals OL have signed elite goalkeeper Christiane Endler, Signe Bruun, and Perle Morroni from PSG, as well as 2019 World Cup finalist Danielle van de Donk (Arsenal WFC) as one of the biggest transfers of the summer.
Bordeaux have had a brilliant summer in the transfer market, signing Costa Rican international Melissa Herrera, who has already proven herself with Stade de Reims, and promising Dutch striker Sisca Folkerstma also joining from FC Twente. The cherry on the cake, Bordeaux has named well-known manager Patrice Lair as their new coach, who won the UWCL multiple times with Lyon.
The Big Three were very active this summer, but some other names will discover or come back to the French league: Johanna Elsig (Turbine Potsdam) links up with German teammates Lisa Schmitz and Lena Petermann at Montpellier HSC; Polish internationals Ewelina Kamczyk and Nikola Karczewska (Górnik Łęczna), who join FC Fleury 91; Mexican goalkeeper Emily Alvarado, now of Stade de Reims; OL Reign’s goalkeeper Cosette Morché, on loan to GPSO 92 Issy; and former Melbourne City defender Samantha Johnson, signing for ASJ Soyaux. With so much activity in the transfer window, fans can be sure all 12 teams have put renewed energy into achieving their goals.
12 teams, 12 aims:
It is clear that Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Lyonnais and Girondins de Bordeaux will be fighting for the title, and teams like Montpellier HSC and Paris FC will try to play the spoilsport. Newly-promoted AS Saint-Etienne, GPSO 92 Issy, En Avant Guingamp, and Stade de Reims will look to stay in the top tier, while ASJ Soyaux will be looking to stabilise the club after recent financial issues.
Paris Saint-Germain
2020-21 top scorer: Marie-Antoinette Katoto (21)
The only objective that Paris Saint-Germain surely have is to defend the title, even after losing important pieces of their championship puzzle such as Formiga and Irene Paredes. With Endler, Bruun, and Morroni moving to rivals Lyon, the Parisiennes have recruited the Canadian Olympic champion Labbé and Czech goalkeeper Barbora Votíková as a backup, while Sara Däbritz and new signing Karchaoui will have important roles to play as the defensive organisers. PSG’s attacking line of Baltimore – Katoto – Diani remains unchanged, and must be as good as the previous season in a team that must be “perfect” to stop OL’s revenge.
Olympique Lyonnais
2020-21 top scorer: Nikita Parris (13)
After an XXL transfer window, Lyon sees as its goal the treble of league championship, national cup, and UEFA Women’s Champions League. Les Fenottes boast one of the most incredible midfields in world football, with the returning Damaris Egurrola, Amandine Henry, and van de Donk playing in front of a defence featuring Wendie Renard, Endler, and Australian Young Player and Player of the Year 2021 Ellie Carpenter. Lyon is probably dangerous as they have never been with revenge over PSG in every player’s mind, beginning with Ada Hegerberg.
Girondins de Bordeaux
2021 top scorer: Khadija Shaw (23 – Golden Boot)
Bordeaux is in the form of its life, despite losing its key forward Khadija Shaw to FAWSL club Manchester City. The club qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time, and now has a structured plan aiming to qualify for European competition for the years to come. While the forward line is looking promising with some Dutch courage, the midfield may be a little bit fragile at the European level, and against great teams like PSG and OL. They can however count on Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles, who has been skyrocketing for two years with Bordeaux and her national team.
Paris FC
2020-21 top scorer: Clara Matéo (13)
Paris FC is one of the teams we could be worried about. The club is short of visible objectives and has recruited only one player: Ouleymata Sarr from Bordeaux. If the team has to strengthen its offensive game, their weakness is creativity and they didn’t resolve it during the interseason. The defensive line is not as constant as the other high-stand teams. It is difficult to see any hopes for Paris FC this season again.
EA Guingamp
2020-21 top scorer: Faustine Robert (11)
After a superb fifth place during the previous campaign, the Breton club had to be active to maintain their chances for the upcoming season. Having lost some key players, the club needed to strengthen its depth, but looks to lack the resources to invest in quality D1F signings. This campaign could be physically difficult for the club’s small squad, with Frédéric Biancalani adding Laurie Teinturier from Issy and goalkeeper Cindy Perrault from Montpellier to replace Dijon-bound Solène Durant, while defender Manon Revelli has joined on loan from OL, and retiring Matildas defender Laura Brock has left the club.
Dijon FCO
2020-21 top scorer: Sh’nia Gordon (7)
With Dijon looking to maintain its place in D1 Arkema, the club’s first priority was to keep their experienced defensive line, with it has strengthened by adding French international goalkeeper Solène Durand. On the other side of the coin, the experienced Desiré Oparanozie is still an efficient scorer in the league, and could help her team to earn important points. A potential weakness could be in the midfield so we can expect a game centred around counter-attacks led by the wingers.
Montpellier HSC
2020-21 top scorer: Lena Petermann (6)
A new coaching staff could mean a new era in Montpellier, but with the same ambitions. La Paillade replaced Elisa de Almeida with experienced defender Johanna Elsig but hasn’t changed the team to push for Europe. With only three teams qualifying for the Champions League, we can assume that their attacking duo Lena Petermann and Mary Fowler will be the key aim for teammates. The Aussie striker could have a very important role in a scheme where we could imagine Petermann playing as a second striker with Fowler at the top.
FC Fleury 91
2020-21 top scorer: Dominika Grabowska / Léa le Garrec (4)
Fleury 91 could easily be in the top 6, even top 5 this season with a great plus-value after their transfer window. Chemistry and creativity will be the biggest challenges they will have to face, and the capacity to adapt their defense against both very good teams and poorer ones. The club dropped some easy points last year and could even surpass Paris FC as the second-best team in the capital.
Stade de Reims
2020-21 top scorer: Mélissa Gomes (10)
Stade de Reims has had two good seasons in the D1F since their promotion in 2019. Having lost in-form players – including the Mélissa duo of Herrera and Gomes – the team still has everything it needs to stay in the big league with young French international Kessya Bussy, Naomie Feller, and Sonia Ouchène among its cohort. The work will be harder in defence as the Champanoises are now without one of last season’s best goalkeepers in Phallon Tullis-Joyce (OL Reign). While the American stopper’s place has been filled by Mexican Emily Alvarado, their new recruit’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis could not have the best preparation for the season. The team remains more or less similar to last year and has good chances to be here in 2022.
ASJ Soyaux
2020-21 top scorer: Laura Bourgouin (4)
Having been relegated to D2F due to financial issues, ASJ Soyaux has convinced the DNCG (the national management control department) that they are in control of their finances, and have been allowed to stay in D1F for the upcoming season. The club has been able to spend money during the off-season, and has made some quality signings, such as Anissa Lahmari (EA Guingamp), Sarah Zahot (Olympique de Marseille), and young French international Héloïse Mansuy to reinforce the midfield, with goalkeeper Laëtitia Philippe joining from Issy. While the club has had troubles off the field, on it Soyaux looks to be good bet to finish mid-table, and will cause trouble for teams throughout the season.
GPSO 92 Issy
2020-21 top scorer: Batcheba Louis (4)
The club was saved from relegation due to COVID-19 administrative measures taken by the FFF to not relegate the 11th-placed club, instead promoting a single club from Division 2 as both championships were disrupted. The club which wanted to keep a similar group has changed 50% of the team, including several key players, potentially in order to find a new way to stay in D1F. The team looks to have decided to put faith in its youth, with newcomers Adélie Fourré (Olympique de Marseille) or Assimina Maoulida (on loan from OL) likely to take key roles. 2021-22 will likely be a hard campaign for the club and every point earned could save them from relegation.
AS Saint-Etienne
2020-21 top scorer: Laury Jésus (6*)
After two years of dominating Division 2, the AS Saint-Etienne is back in the D1F after COVID-19 rules are finally in their favour. The Stéphanoises have a solid squad, and have now played together for three or four years, led by their attackers Kelly Gago, Audrey Chaumette, and Laury Jésus. This promotion also means a new era as some key players, notably defenders, decided to retire or went on their way, but Les Vertes can still count on their youngsters. The club has recruited wisely, with the arrivals of the Nigerian international forward Esther Okoronkwo, promising midfielder Elise Bonet, and goalkeeper Maryne Gignoux from Dijon. While Gignoux has torn her ACL and is out for the season, the group seems ready for the challenge after four years away from the big time!
For the first time, the FFF has created a fantasy league for D1F, to be known as “Le championnat des Etoiles”. Run in conjunction with French sports newspaper L’Équipe, fans can register to play online, with the best managers winning prizes for their efforts!
