Lollichon worked with Cech at Stade Rennais and then at Chelsea. The former Czechia international made on to make nearly 500 appearances for Chelsea, whilst also featuring 139 times for cross-city rivals Arsenal. He then hung up his gloves in 2019, although since retirement, he has kept active by playing ice hockey.

However, his former coach then tried to tempt him out of retirement earlier this year in order to get him to play in Ligue 2 with strugglers Dunkerque. Lollichon detailed the exchange with the former Chelsea, Arsenal and Rennes No.1

“I tried something mad. I sent a message to Petr Cech and proposed that he came to Dunkerque because he is also mad,” began the former Chelsea goalkeeper coach. 

He added, “I offered him a six-month stint so that we could experience something incredible. It would have created an incredible buzz but beyond that, it was the chance to work together again. He responded to me with a smiley (emoji) and then nothing else. It is rare. It meant that he was starting to think about it.”

Lollichon then revealed that Cech rang him the next day and said the following: “Christophe, with my tendons, I won’t be able to.” Ultimately, Dunkerque remained in Ligue 2 without the Czechian’s help.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder is also able to stand in as a centre-back. Gbamin is set to be Nantes’ third signing of the summer transfer window after Rennes centre-forward Matthis Abline and Huddersfield Town winger Sorba Thomas, who joined Nantes on loan.

Gbamin left Everton last year upon the termination of the five-year contract he signed in 2019 from Mainz. The defensive midfielder spent last season at Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque on a one-year contract. He played 21 games with Les Maritimes.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

While they’re still looking to finalise Alexandre Mendy’s deal despite Kylian Mbappé’s takeover of Stade Malherbe de Caen, Sunderland seems to target other high profiles from Ligue 2. Apart from the league’s top scorer, the Black Cats have added Bardeli’s name to their shortlist. The attacking midfielder joined Dunkerque in 2021 from Lille OSC, where he had a solid UEFA Youth League campaign back in 19. After having been the Maritimes’ best player in the French third tier, Bardeli perfectly adapted to Ligue 2 last season and helped his club to stay up. The right-footed midfielder didn’t miss a single minute with Dunkerque last season, logging three goals and five assists. An outstanding season that earned him to be called up by Thierry Henry in his preliminary list for the Olympics. A real achievement for the 23-year-old midfielder, who has, however, not been retained in the final squad. 

According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland will have to face fierce competition to sign Bardeli as the midfielder is gathering interest all around Europe. The French outlet reveals that Real Valladolid, US Lecce, Alkmaar, Atlanta United and FC Metz are all considering bidding for the talented midfielder, who is tied to the Northern side for another two years. 

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux 

In an attempt to bounce back, Gbamin returned to Northern France. He joined Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque, not only in an attempt to get his career back on track but also to move close to his family. It is a move that has paid dividends. Having helped the club remain in Ligue 2, he is now set for a move, having arrived at the end of his contract. 

Thanks to his performances, the former Everton midfielder won’t be short of suitors this summer. According to Ouest-France, the two promoted sides from Ligue 2, SCO Angers and AJ Auxerre, are both interested in signing him on a free transfer. FC Metz, whose survival in Ligue 1 will be dictated by next week’s result against AS Saint-Étienne, have also enquired. 

However, L’Équipe understands that the French clubs may also face competition from German clubs, who have also enquired about the possibility of bringing Gbamin back to the Bundesliga. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The midfielder was instantly convinced by the project at Dunkerque. It is a country and a region that he knows well and the decision to sign a one-year deal at the club was taken with his family and short-term sporting objectives in mind. In Ligue 2, Gbamin has garnered considerable gametime, featuring 17 times in the league since joining in November. 

Gbamin’s performances have contributed to Dunkerque remaining in Ligue 2 this season, however, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will remain with the club. According to Foot Mercato, clubs higher up the chain in Ligue 2, as well as two unnamed Ligue 1 clubs have shown an interest in Gbamin, who will be available as a free agent. The former Mainz midfielder could also return to Germany with Bundesliga sides interested in the versatile Ivory Coast international.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Bordeaux’s Danylo Ihnatenko (27) has been accused of racially abusing Alioune Ba (34) during an altercation between the players. Following the game, Ba reportedly criticised the referee for his inaction during the match when the defender alerted the official to the incident. 

It was noted in the match official’s documentation that Ba supported by his captain Opa Sanganté (33) had complained to the referee about Ihnatenko in the 60th minute where they alleged that the Bordeaux midfielder had racially abused Ba. 

In the referee’s report, it is stated that the Bordeaux player was given a “dismissal” by the referee although what this exactly means is unclear as the player was not sanctioned on the pitch receiving neither a yellow nor a red card. 

Bordeaux shocked by Danylo Ihnatenko accusation 

Bordeaux responded yesterday noting that they were taking the incident “very seriously” while they began an internal report into what happened. L’Équipe reports that it has shocked Bordeaux from the hierarchy down to Ihnatenko’s teammates, with a source from within the club telling the paper “We all know he’s not racist.” 

L’Équipe was further told that Ihnatenko has defended himself to the club by denying the accusations and stating that it is a matter of “his word against mine.” Bordeaux will presume his innocence until proven otherwise, and they are expected to select him in the squad that will face Stade Lavallois on the weekend. 

For Dunkirk, the club are reportedly exploring all available avenues as they assess what their next step will be, there is even the threat that they could take legal action. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

In their statement, Dunkirk expressed that they “were deeply saddened and shocked by the racist insults uttered by one of the players of the opposing team against one of our players.” The club continued, “We would like to express our unconditional support to our players as well as to all players who suffer such acts.” 

Dunkirk further confirmed that they had filed an official report on the matter, declaring that they “have full confidence that the relevant authorities will take all necessary and appropriate measures to respond to this incident.” 

Bordeaux have in turn responded to Dunkirk’s statement with their own press release addressing the allegations. The Southern side stated that it has taken “these accusations very seriously and immediately opened an investigation to shed light on these events. Racism, like all forms of discrimination, is contrary to the values of our club. If the facts are proven, the the club will undertake all necessary sanctions with the utmost firmness.” 

The incident had mired an important game between two teams near the bottom of Ligue 2, with both clubs suffering difficult seasons as they attempt to stay afloat and away from the drop-down into the Championnat National. 

Albert Riera accused of slapping an opposition player

During Bordeaux’s previous game, their manager Albert Riera was accused of slapping an AS Saint-Étienne player, in an incident that the Spaniard brushed aside simply stating that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. However, the club were far more forceful in their rebuttals and have strongly denied that the incident ever occurred. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Perhaps sensing an opportunity to find his way into Gennaro Gattuso’s plans in the absence of Amine Hairt, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, all of whom were called up to represent their respective countries at the AFCON, Mughe rejected his call-up to the Cameroon team. However, it was a choice that backfired. Cameroon’s footballing authorities had to agree to free the player to play for Marseille, which they did not do. As a result, Mughe has been eligible due to administrative reasons for the whole of the month of January. 

Angers and Dunkerque interested in Mughe loan

With first-team players now returning from AFCON, and with rumours of further attacking reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline, Mughe now looks set to move elsewhere in order to get first-team opportunities between now and the end of the season. 

Mughe looks set for a Ligue 2 loan. There are advanced discussions over a move to SCO Angers, but not yet an agreement, whilst USL Dunkerque are also interested. The latter would be able to offer more guarantees to accumulate minutes in Ligue 2. A decision to send Mughe on loan either to Angers or Dunkerque, is set to be made imminently. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Maurer broke onto the scene towards the end of last season, starting six games and making four substitute appearances as Pascal Gastien’s side finished the season in style. However, collectively, those performances have not been replicated this season. Clermont are instead bottom of Ligue 1, and in such circumstances, the development of youth players is not always prioritised. 

Maurer seems to be a victim of this context. He has made only five substitute appearances all season, two of which have come in added time. As a result, the attacking midfielder is set for a spell away from Clermont. According to Foot Mercato, a loan switch to Ligue 2 side Dunkerque is imminent. Dunkerque are currently embroiled in their own relegation battle. The move will not include an option to make the move permanent. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Gbamin’s time at Premier League side Everton was hampered by injuries. He joined the Merseyside club for a €25m fee back in the summer of 2019 but made only eight first-team appearances. In a bid to rediscover his form, he spent loan spells at CSKA Moscow and Trabzonspor, however, he terminated his Everton contract this summer. 

Gbamin has therefore been in search of a new club these past months. The midfielder, who has played for the Ivory Coast national team on 17 occasions, was privileging a return to northern France. Gbamin, who came through the ranks at RC Lens, wanted to move closer to his family, who live near Lille. He has therefore joined Dunkerque until the end of the season. The club are currently 19th in Ligue 2, and Gbamin’s task is therefore to help them remain in the division. 

GFFN |  Luke Entwistle