There will be no additions to the Stade de Reims squad this transfer window despite the growing list of absentees.
Due to the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup taking place from January until the second week of February, six players will be unavailable for Will Still’s Reims side due to their international commitments. This number could rise to seven with the release of Gambia’s selection on the 9th of January.
This number adds to a burgeoning amount of players who are unavailable because of injury or suspension with right-back Thomas Foket (29) suspended for their next game, while Marshall Munetsi (27) will be out for the next few weeks due to an ankle injury.
Still, will return to football next weekend with a depleted list of players ready for selection for their cup tie against Dinan-Léhon FC in the Coupe de France. However, there was some good news for the manager with Maxime Busi (24), Josh Wilson-Esbrand (21) and midfielder Valentin Atangana (18) all appearing to make a return from their injuries.
Reims will not look to the transfer window for support
Regardless of the circumstances, the Reims hierarchy has made it clear to Still that they will not dip into the transfer window this winter to provide further reinforcements. In a quotation provided by L’Équipe, the coach stated that ‘The management was clear on the fact that there would be no recruitment this winter.’
This was the exact situation that concerned Still last year when it was reported that he had been in conversations with Sunderland over the prospect of becoming their next manager. Still was reportedly worried that the club had no interest in providing cover for the outgoing players, and that he felt the team could not cope in their absence.
