Dream Strasbourg XI for 2025/26
Squad Building with Strategy, Style & UEFA Rules in Mind
In my previous article, I examined the significant challenge ahead for Racing Club de Strasbourg: competing in three demanding competitions—Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Europa Conference League. This ambitious campaign demands more than just talent. It demands planning. Every signing this summer must be both smart and strategic, and compliant with UEFA squad regulations.
For Strasbourg to compete effectively, BlueCo must prioritise players who not only improve the team but also fit into the strict squad registration framework, especially the balance between Locally-Trained Players (LTPs) and Non-Homegrown Players (NHGs).
This piece outlines my positional recommendations based on Liam Rosenior’s preferred system—a 4-2-3-1 that morphs into a 3-4-2-1 in possession. Most of the scouted names come from under-the-radar leagues like the English Championship, La Liga 2, Belgium’s Pro and Challenger leagues, Poland’s Ekstraklasa, and Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
Goalkeepers
With Đorđe Petrović returning to Chelsea, stability is now essential between the sticks. BlueCo should invest in a permanent No.1 for Liam Rosenior, with solid depth behind him.
Recommendations:
First-choice GK: Filip Jörgensen – Buy permanently at a reasonable fee with resale clauses. (NHG)
Second-choice GK: Robbin Risser – Homegrown talent developed at Strasbourg. (LTP)
Third-choice GK: Karl-Johan Johnsson – Reliable backup. (NHG)
Out: Alaa Bellaarouch – Sell to free up space and gain value (€1m). (LTP)
Right-Back (RB)
Strasbourg currently have just one dependable right-back: Guéla Doué, who played almost every match in 2024/25. However, as a Non-Homegrown (NHG) player, his presence adds to the foreign player quota under UEFA rules.
To maintain balance and meet squad registration criteria, BlueCo should strengthen this position with a Locally-Trained Player (France).
As for Marvin Senaya, despite qualifying as a locally-trained option, he no longer meets the standard required for this project. It’s time for BlueCo to find him a move elsewhere. His market value: €1.8M.
Recommendations:
Rodrigo Huescas (21, Copenhagen) - NHG, Mexico (natural right-back, comfortable on both flanks)
Saël Kumbedi (20, Lyon) – LTP, France
Alfie Gilchrist (21, Chelsea) – NHG, England
Kyriani Sabbe (20, Club Brugge) – NHG, Belgium
Thérence Koudou (20, Pau FC) – LTP, France
Nolan Galves (21, Rodez) – LTP, France
Right Centre-Back (RCB)
With Mamadou Sarr sold to Chelsea for €14m and Ismaël Doukouré likely to follow, this spot must be rebuilt. One LTP and one NHG should be targeted.
Suggestions:
Lucas Lissens (23, Lyngby) - NHG, Belgium
Ousmane Diao (21, FC Midtjylland) - NHG, Senegal
Apostolos Konstantopoulos (22, Beerschot) – NHG, Greek
Matte Smets (21, Genk) – NHG, Belgium
Michel Junior Diaz (21, Troyes) – NHG, Ivory Coast
Jérémy Jacquet (19, Rennes) – LTP, France
Sadibou Sane (20, FC Metz) – NHG, Senegal
Matthew Pollock (23, Watford FC) - NHG, England
Left Centre-Back (LCB)
Abakar Sylla hasn’t impressed under Rosenior, and according to the report, he is earning too much. Selling him frees space to sign two LCBs with the right profiles. 1 Non-Homegrown and 1 Homegrown player.
Recommendations:
David Sousa (23, RWD Molenbeek) – NHG, Brazil
Callum Doyle (21, Norwich) – NHG, England
Fedde Leysen (21, Union SG) – NHG, Belgium
Mikayil Faye (20, Rennes) – NHG, Senegal
Bright Ede (18, Lublin) – NHG, Poland
Brahim Traoré (21, Caen) – LTP, France (Two-footed player)
Christian Mawissa (20, Monaco) – LTP, France
Left-Back (LB)
Valentín Barco and Diego Moreira provide cover, but to fully unlock Moreira’s attacking talents as a Right winger, a proper left-back should be signed. I will still go ahead with the recruitment of Lucas Lissens, a natural right-back with the versatility to operate on both flanks.
Suggested Target:
Rodrigo Huescas (21, Copenhagen) - NHG, Mexico (natural right-back, comfortable on both flanks)
Sam De Grand (20, Lommel United) – NHG, Netherlands
Caleb Wiley (20, Chelsea) – NHG, United States
Defensive Midfield (CDM)
Andrey Santos is back at Chelsea. Strasbourg must now find a smart replacement who can anchor the midfield. Keep Junior Mwanga as a rotational option and loan out Pape Diong and Rabby Nzingoula for more development.
CDM Picks:
Silas Andersen (20, BK Häcken) – NHG, Denmark
Lynnt Audoor (21, Club Brugge) - NHG, Belgium
Lesley Ugochukwu (21, Chelsea) – LTP, France
Central Midfield (CM)
With Habib Diarra potentially on the move soon, amid growing interest from several European clubs, reinforcements in midfield have become a priority. BlueCo's decision to bring in Mathis Amougou on a season-long loan should add valuable depth, and I'm particularly pleased with the smart acquisition of Pape Demba Diop (21) for just €5 million. Securing such a promising talent at that price is shrewd business.
Reinforcements to Consider:
Pape Demba Diop (21, Zulte-Waregem) - NHG, Senegal
Oliver Arblaster (21, Sheffield Utd) - NHG, England
Aidan Morris (23, Middlesbrough) - NHG, United States
Yassine Titraoui (21, Charleroi) - NHG, Algeria
Thomas Claes (21, Genk) - NHG, Belgium
Thomas Van den Belt (23, Feyenoord) - NHG, Netherlands
Right Winger (RW)
Dilane Bakwa’s future remains up in the air. If he does depart, Diego Moreira (a natural left-footer) and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw are capable stand-ins—but adding further depth on the right flank would be a smart move.
Alternatives:
Carlos Álvarez (21, Levante) - NHG, Spain
Stavros Gavriel (23, Zulte-Waregem) - NHG, Cyprus
Chemsdine Talbi (20, Club Brugge) - NHG, Morocco
Mohamed Salah El Boukammiri (21, Lommel United) - NHG, Belgium
Attacking Midfielder (CAM/No.10)
Felix Lemarechal remains the current No.10, but with strong rumours of Kendry Páez arriving on loan from Chelsea, that position is getting exciting.
Potential Additions:
Makxim Kireev (20, Lierse) - NHG, Belarus
Ilyes Ziani (21, RWDM) - NHG, Belgium
Mathis Servais (20, Waasland-Beveren) - NHG, Belgium
Mario Stroeykens (20, Anderlecht) - NHG, Belgium
Zuriko Davitashvili (24, St. Étienne) - NHG, Georgia
Left Winger (LW)
If Diego Moreira shifts to the right wing, Strasbourg should prioritise signing a natural, right-footed left winger to balance the attack and ease the burden on Sébastian Nanasi. And if a big offer arrives for Nanasi, the club could reinvest in one of these promising wide talents as a long-term replacement.
Options:
Djeidi Gassama (21, Sheffield Wednesday) - LTP, France
Christos Tzolis (23, Club Brugge) - NHG, Greek
Joseph Okopu (19, Zulte-Waregem) - NHG, Ghana
Shandre Campbell (19, Club Brugge) - NHG, South Africa
Roony Bardghji (19, Copenhagen) - NHG, Sweden
Christopher Baah (20, Genk) - NHG, Ghana
Sergio Rodelas (20, Granada) - NHG, Spain
Centre-Forward (CF)
Emanuel Emegha is the only reliable striker. Sekou Mara, Milos Lukovic, and Moses Sahi Dion haven’t been convinced. It’s time to invest.
Striker Targets:
Joaquín Panichelli (22, Mirandés) - NHG, Argentina
Franjo Ivanović (20, Union SG) - NHG, Croatia
Mihailo Ivanović (20, Millwall) - NHG, Serbia
Éliezer Mayenda (20, Sunderland) - NHG, Spain
Roméo Vermant (21, Club Brugge) - NHG, Belgium
Final Thoughts
Strasbourg’s 2025/26 rebuild must reflect a balance between long-term strategy and UEFA compliance. The 17-player limit for NHGs and the minimum LTP requirements mean that recruitment isn’t just about quality, it’s about eligibility. BlueCo have already shown ambition with early moves like Papa Demba Diop. But to compete across three fronts, depth is non-negotiable. This isn’t just a wishlist—it’s a roadmap.
Written by: BlueCo Xtra Editor