Despite scoring on the opening day of the Championship season, game time has been at a premium for Moroccan international midfielder Louza in recent weeks. He has started just one of the club’s last 16 games, featuring only four times in that period, and missing out on the matchday squad entirely on four occasions. However, he did make a cameo appearance against Plymouth on New Year’s Day, in what was his first game for the club since the end of November. 

As previously reported by Foot Mercato, Metz are interested in bringing former FC Nantes midfielder Louza back to Ligue 1. However, they could now face competition from Lorient, who have already held discussions with the player. Louza is sold on the move and it is now up to the clubs to reach an agreement. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

It will be a sad departure for all involved, the Metz support was deeply fond of the midfielder, while the player had previously spoken about how the team ‘Has already marked my life.’ 

https://twitter.com/FCMetz/status/1743000656716140608

The Ivorian international had represented Les Grenats 140 times in his six seasons spent with the club, but he had struggled to find minutes with the club this season. 

Maïga had only made seven appearances all season, and in only one of those games was the midfielder a starter. 

In need of game time, Maïga has now left the club for a fee, reported by L’Équipe, to be around €400,000. 

At his new side, the midfielder will have the opportunity to compete in the Europa Conference League play-offs when his side will play Olympiacos to see who will reach the round of 16. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Mikautadze has returned to France less than six months after leaving. The 23-year-old completed a €16m move to the Eredivisie club in the summer transfer window. However, after a difficult start to life in Amsterdam, the Lyon academy graduate has returned to Metz. The return of Mikautadze will be a major boost to the newly-promoted club as they look to secure their top-flight status. 

‘I can’t wait to hit the pitch again’

Speaking to Metz’s official media after completing his return, Mikautadze couldn’t contain his excitement about being able to play for the club again, “I am very happy to come back here. When I left for Ajax, I received many messages and I have received many more in recent days. I wanted to thank everyone because all this love means a lot to me. I’m really happy to wear the Metz colours again and I can’t wait to hit the pitch again with this jersey, in front of our supporters.”

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Despite scoring on the opening day of the Championship season, game time has been at a premium for Moroccan international midfielder Louza in recent weeks. He has started just one of the club’s last 15 games, featuring only three times in that period, and missing out on the matchday squad entirely on four occasions. 

According to a report from Foot Mercato, FC Metz are in negotiations over a loan move for Louza. Les Grenats, who will miss Lamine Camara to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), are in need of midfield reinforcements this January. The Moroccan midfielder, who has not been selected to take part in the upcoming AFCON, will arrive to help Metz retain their Ligue 1 status. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

After getting Metz promoted to Ligue 1 last season, the Georgian forward left the club just a handful of games into the season, joining Ajax. However, the move hasn’t worked out for anyone. Whilst Les Gradistes earned €15m in the deal, they failed to replace Mikautadze’s goal output. Despite leaving in August, the Georgian is still this season’s top scorer for Metz.

It hasn’t worked out for Ajax, who have used Mikautadze in just six games in all competitions this season, and the Georgian striker’s development has suffered as a result. 

Mikautadze will undergo his medical in Lorraine on Wednesday afternoon before sealing a return to Metz. Whilst the two clubs are still discussing an option to make the move permanent, Mikautadze is set to be eligible to face Clermont Foot in the Coupe de France this weekend. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Now 27, Udol has fought back from four cruciate ligament injuries (as well as undergoing an operation on his meniscus) and few can begrudge him the prolonged injury-free run that he is now enjoying.

A Messin born and bred, Udol came through the club’s youth ranks before making his professional debut at Metz’s Belgian sister club FC Seraing, where he spent half a season on loan, before being recalled and breaking into the Metz team two days before his 20th birthday.

All set to make the left back position his own, the proceeding four seasons were all but ruined by his injury woes – even when finally fit for the second half of the 2019-2020 campaign, his match-time was curtailed by Covid-19 causing the early end to the season. A return of 25 Ligue 1 matches in 2020-2021 was by far Udol’s best season in terms of appearances before 2021-2022 was cut short again by his fourth ligament tear, the club vice-captain forced to watch from the sidelines as Metz were relegated.

Udol extends Metz stay

Udol came back stronger than ever however and, now promoted to club captain, Udol has enjoyed 18 injury-free months, allowing him to help Metz to promotion from Ligue 2 last season (his third promotion with the club – to go with two relegations) and a reasonably positive Ligue 1 return thus far.

He featured for all but nine minutes of last season and in the 2023 half of the campaign contributed five assists – including one in the 3-2 victory over Bastia on the last day, which secured Metz second place and promotion.

Udol has been a fixture for Metz this season, contributing three assists which have directly helped secure a draw and two wins. His goal this week against PSG proved in vain but was another indication of his will to fight to overcome the odds, whether from his left-back berth or filling in at centre-back to help the team out.

Udol signed a contract extension in August and one has to ask if he’ll play for Metz his entire career; he replies that it’s too early to say but that this love story will continue for a little while longer at least. Considering what Udol has had to overcome, that is already a great achievement.

GFFN | Jeremy Smith

Despite leaving Metz for €16m in August, Mikautadze is nonetheless still Metz’s top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with two goals. He will now have the chance to finish as the club’s top scorer as he looks set to return and help Laszlo Boloni’s side off relegation. 

A return to Metz suits all parties. Metz’s Mikautadze replacements have not lived up to the billing, the player is out-of-favour at Ajax, and the Dutch club have failed to find a place for him The Georgian international is third choice, and when he has played, he has often done so out of his natural position. 

As a result, Mikautadze’s return to Metz is set to be confirmed in the coming days, according to L’Équipe. He is set to undergo a medical on 29th December ahead of a six-month loan deal, without an option to buy. It is a chance for the striker to get his career back on track, ahead of a potential move away from Ajax in the summer. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Dembélé was suspended for the trip to Borussia Dortmund last weekend, but returned for Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Lille OSC. PSG will also be without Arnau Tenas, who has worn the No.1 jersey for the past two matches in the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The former suffered a minor shoulder injury against Les Dogues, whilst the latter returns following a two-game suspension for a reckless kung-fu kick against Le Havre AC.

 There are no other fresh injury concerns, although first-teamers Nuno Mendes, Fabián Ruiz and Presneal Kimpembe all remain absent. The latter has, however, returned to first-team training. 

PSG likely lineup v Metz

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Lucas Hernandez, Milan Skriniar, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi; Warren Zaïre-Emery, Manuel Ugarte, Marco Asensio; Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The award comes as a perfect conclusion to the young Senegalese’s dream breakout year. At the start of 2023, Camara had inspired Senegal to go all the way in the African Nations Championship, claiming the Player of the Tournament award, before leading the Senegalese team to the u-20 African Cup of Nations final, which they won against Gambia, once again being voted best player of the tournament.

A perfect year for Camara

The midfielder played a few games in last season’s Ligue 2, which ended in Metz’s promotion, before becoming a starter in Ligue 1 for László Bölöni’s side. He combines defensive relentlessness with tight-space-dribbling ability and an eye for long passing, making him one of the most promising players in the league at his position.

No doubt European clubs will be keen on singing Camara if he continues his meteoric rise.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

The final trio is completed by Real Betis’ Abde Ezzalzouli (21), being voted ahead of the likes of Moroccan star Bilal El Khannouss (19) and K.A.A. Gent’s top performer Emmanuel Gift Orban (21).

Lamine Camara and Amara Diouf, the future of Senegalese football

Camara started the year off very strong with an impressive string of performances during the u-20 AFCON, pulling off two assists and bagging a brace in the semi-final against Tunisia. Senegal ended up winning the competition, getting the better of Gambia in the final, as Lamine was elected player of the tournament.

The midfielder had joined FC Metz from Génération Foot previous to the tournament, and following it began to make appearances for the first team. This season, the 19-year-old is a regular starter for Les GrenatsI, standing out notably due to his ability to cover ground efficiently to regain possession, as well as his excellent technical quality under pressure.

Amara Diouf, on the other hand, is yet to make an appearance for Metz but has been performing brilliantly for Senegal’s youth teams, notably the u17 squad which participated in the recent u-17 World Cup, where he scored two goals in the first game against Argentina. The 15-year-old made a name for himself when he became the youngest player to ever feature for the Senegal national team, in an AFCON qualification game against Rwanda.

The young forward possesses electric acceleration as well as outstanding flair and technical ability, which make him a threat across the front line.

The two youngsters will be hoping for the best during the ceremony on Monday, to potentially conclude what has been an exceptional season for both in the best possible fashion.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande