KEY MAN

“We won’t go over the top,” Timothy Weah said in his usual calm cadence, smiling despite the exhaustion before Marseille’s final game of the 2025-2026 season, before adding: “It’s good to be in Europe even if we aren’t in the Champions League.” Les Olympiens salvaged Europa League football from the collapse of the project constructed by Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia and Roberto De Zerbi. During those moments of crisis, the club more often than not turned to Weah to face the press. He did so with a wry smile and a quiet confidence that increasingly carried the mark of a leader. “We could win the Europa League,” he shrugged. “That will be our work next season.”

The American has become arguably the most important player in the squad, and not simply by default. Even before Marseille’s summer selling frenzy, Weah was one of OM’s more consistent performers last season. His marauding runs down the right and combination play with Greenwood were among the brighter aspects of the campaign, while his versatility made him useful in several systems. Marseille’s final pre-season friendly against Atlético Madrid saw the American wear the captain’s armband after the hierarchy removed it from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. There are misgivings and uncertainties surrounding the new project at the Vélodrome, but in any case, Weah looks set to be the leading figure within it.

SIGNING TO WATCH

OM remain the only Ligue 1 club yet to recruit this summer despite losing several major players. Marseille need to sell before they can rebuild, while every departure creates another position requiring attention. Potential deals exist for Guillaume Restes and a loan for West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo, but nothing has yet been completed. The result is a transfer window being conducted in reverse: dismantle first, then hope there is sufficient time and financial room to rebuild. It is a mode of functioning, imposed on the club by the DNCG and UEFA, that leaves OM on the back foot on the dawn of a new season.

SQUAD ANALYSIS

“Everything must go.” That has been the feeling around Marseille this summer. Greenwood’s €39m departure to Fenerbahçe began the process. Aubameyang, Rulli and Medina followed. A proposed departure for Nayef Aguerd to Real Sociedad collapsed at the final stage, while Newcastle’s attempt to sign Højbjerg ended when the Dane refused the move. Marseille’s hierarchy responded by removing Højbjerg as captain, a decision imposed upon Génésio. It neatly encapsulates OM’s position: Génésio would benefit from keeping Højbjerg, while financially the club wanted the sale. Strip away that dysfunction, and there is still talent here.

Igor Paixão looks capable of becoming the principal attacking threat following Greenwood’s departure, while Amine Gouiri remains a talented option centrally. Angel Gomes offers technical quality, Quinten Timber physicality and, if Højbjerg remains, there is the basis of a credible Ligue 1 midfield. The greater concern is defence and depth. Medina has gone, Aguerd’s future remains uncertain, and Génésio has even used Geoffrey Kondogbia at centre-back. Marseille are preparing for Ligue 1 and Europa League football with a squad that is weaker and, so far, has not been replenished. Lorenzi built his reputation at Brest through intelligent recruitment and extracting value from limited resources. But time is becoming an opponent of its own.

THE MANAGER

“When you are a coach, there are two aspects,” he explained. “The sporting aspect: obviously, when you have good players, you want to keep them. Then there is the financial aspect. I came here fully aware of the situation. I know things can move.” If Roberto De Zerbi embodied Marseille’s volatility, Génésio has so far represented something different. There has been little grandstanding and few promises. Instead, he has approached an unstable situation with pragmatism. That may ultimately be his most valuable quality.

VERDICT

Twelve months ago, Marseille entered the season wondering whether they could begin closing the gap to Paris Saint-Germain. Nobody is seriously asking that question now. The immediate task is more fundamental: remain competitive while correcting the financial excesses of previous seasons. There is still enough talent for Marseille to challenge for Europe. Paixão could take another step forward, Gouiri has goals in him and a midfield containing Timber and potentially Højbjerg compares favourably with much of Ligue 1 even if Europa League football will stretch an already thin squad. A European finish while restoring some financial stability would represent meaningful progress; returning immediately to the Champions League would be an exceptional achievement.