PSG’s strangle hold on Ligue 1 has ended with Lille OSC becoming the champions of France, beating the Parisian powerhouse by just 1 point in a thrilling end to the season. 
 
The title is even more impressive when you consider that the club almost went bankrupt mid-season and had an ownership change – all the while managing to keep calm and focussed throughout a nervy season where a single slip up could cost them. A calmness which has now exploded into jubilation and amazing scenes of passion from the fans.

Lille’s title, their first since the 2010/11 season and fourth in their history, is great for French football and a welcome one to basically everyone in France outside of PSG supporters. The triumph is proof for the rest of the league that PSG can still be toppled, no matter how much they have in resources. If you stick to a plan and build up like Lille has, anything is possible.
 
The blueprint for success at Lille has been very different to PSG. Lille can’t go and splash the same sort of money on ready-made talent in the transfer market or on wages compared to PSG, so have taken a more considered approach to finding the best young talent around the world and bringing them in, knowing they can make a significant capital gain on them in the future.

 
Players like Rafael Leão, Victor Osimhen and Nicolas Pépé have come through and been sold for big money to teams outside Ligue 1, which in turn has helped unearthed more talent – a cycle that is showing Lille have some seriously good operators running the show behind the scenes. It’s not just young stars they are managing to unearth – Lille are having success with veteran signings as well, with an amazing bit of business being the signing of 35-year-old Burak Yilmaz, who had previously spent his entire career in Turkey, scoring 16 goals and being in contention to win the Ligue 1 player of the season award.

José Fonte, at the ripe old age of 37, has been another stand out veteran at the back alongside young star defender Sven Botman, while Benjamin Andre, Boubakary Soumare and Renato Sanches have dominated in midfield.

The club’s young stars, in particular the likes of Jonathan David and Renato Sanches, will have a lot of willing eyes on them after this season and could be among the next players who get bought for big money, meaning the club will yet again have to find others to replace them.

One player the club knows they have to replace is standout goalkeeper Mike Maignan who has already signed for AC Milan – a club who looks like they have nailed it in their task for a replacement for Gigi Donnarumma.

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What might seem even crazier is the fact Lille will now need to replace their outstanding manager, Christophe Galtier, as well. Galtier has done an incredible job with the squad and wants a fresh challenge, with Lyon or OGC Nice in particular looking like his likely destination. Why Nice you ask? Galtier is excited by the potential of the club after investment from INEOS, who’s owner Jim Ratcliffe is Britain’s richest man, and it’s a move that would see him closer to where he is from in the south of France. 

It’s certainly going to be a busy off-season once again with Lille not only likely having to replace players but their manager as well. Their track record of late shows they have the people at the club to navigate them through it, but it remains to be seen how their finances will hold up for next season.

Fans of not so mainstream jerseys will be pleased to note we have stock of the New Balance 21/22 Lille OSC home jersey coming in store to Ultra HQ and online. Stay tuned to our Instagram so you don't miss the release date.