A new era at ESSM Le Portel: what will the roster look like?
After securing their spot through the promotion playoffs, ESSM Le Portel will begin a new chapter in its history. Kenny Grant’s appointment during the season had already marked a break from the Girard era. Now comes the main task: building the 2025-2026 team, with a roster that needs major reshaping.
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While most players from the 2024-2025 season likely won’t be retained, some cases deserve attention. Starting with Lahaou Konaté (1.98m, 33 years). « Normally, » he repeated to La Voix du Nord after the last game, suggesting his future at the club depends on several factors. A strong defender with experience, his profile could match Coach Kenny Grant’s requirements, though his high salary remains a significant consideration.
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Two other players could be part of the project: Ivan Fevrier, still under contract but with an opt-out clause, and Mathieu Boyer (2.05m, 29 years). Their retention is being considered, though no final decision has been made at this stage.
A major cleanup ahead… except for some young players
For other members of the 2024-2025 roster, departure seems likely. The club’s intention is clear: start a completely new cycle, consistent with the offensive playing style advocated by Kenny Grant. However, some young players might be retained to build a local core and complete the rotation.
With one of the smallest budgets in the elite division, ESSM will need to be resourceful in the transfer market. And in a club with limited structure where the coach has broad autonomy, finding smart deals will be essential. Grant demonstrated this at Aix-Maurienne, and he’ll need to do it again in Betclic ELITE.
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