This coming weekend it’s Ligue 1’s turn to return to the fields and stadiums in France to get their 2026-27 underway in what looks to be an exciting season with a lot of American interest.
There are currently five of our boys ready to battle it out in the land of croissants and very good wine but by the time the transfer window slams shut, will there still be five or perhaps more? Or less?
Let’s look at who will be battling it out and how many Yank-vs-Yank clashes we can look forward to in the 26-27 campaign.
Folarin Balogun – AS Monaco
Balogun is the biggest American in France, having had a breakout season in the last campaign where he scored 13 league goals in 30 appearances, after scoring 11 total over the prior two seasons. On top of that, he also found the back of the net five times in 10 Champions League games. Overall, it was a 19-goal season across all campaigns.
On top of that, he had a decent World Cup (until Trump got involved) where he scored three times in four games.
Because of the last 12 months, there has been some speculation that he may not be kicking a ball in France before the window closes. The main discussions have been about a move to the Premier League, where Tottenham Hotspur have offered around 60 million Euros for the front man.
If he stays, I expect Balogun to be one of Monaco’s most important attacking players. Monaco finished in the Champions League places last season but were ultimately pushed into the Conference League pathway because of Lens’ Coupe de France victory.
Will he stay? My guess at this time is he will be heading to London if Spurs meet Monaco’s valuation. Or perhaps another Premier League team will step in last minute. If he doesn’t leave, I think there will be one unhappy Yank in the principality, but being a true professional, he will get on with it challenging for the French crown and also on the European front.
Timothy Weah – Olympique Marseille
Weah continues to follow in his famous father’s footsteps, where both have played for PSG and Marseille in their careers. Father George won the big prizes in 1995, the Balloon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year. Young Tim still has a long way to go at this point, but we should never say never.
Having joined Marseille on loan from Juventus at the beginning of last season, his loan deal ended this summer, and the team made good with the agreement and made the US Nat a full member of the team. And to be honest, he didn’t set the league on fire with just two goals and two assists in Ligue 1 action. He did however have six goals and five assists the previous season in Italy, so he needs to try to bounce back.
What is more exciting for the team is that they finished second last season and will take part in the Europe League, where Weah will have the chance to play some meaning international games. They will also be fighting for the French title again but let’s be honest, PSG are in another universe both financially and competitively.
Weah’s goal should be to cement himself into the starting line-up and making bigger team contributions. And who knows, one day he may be the president of a country, just like his father.
Tanner Tessmann – Olympique Lyon
Lyon finished fourth last season, which was good enough to get them into the Champions League third qualifying round, which means that Tessmann could be involved in the CL before the month ends. And in fact, he was when Lyon travelled to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. Th American played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw. More competitions will benefit him because his big problem is getting minutes.
The Alabama born midfielder had a half decent season and has gained the trust of the coaching staff as he became a more important part of the team. Granted, he scored just once in the league last season with no assist while clocking just shy of 2,000 minutes. He did add another goal in Europe with his strike against Utrecht as well.
His goal for the season should be to make himself indispensable and force himself into the starting XI on a regular basis. He should be looking to start 28 to 30 league games this season and although he had a decent season in the Lyon midfield, he should be contributing a few more goals and assists.
And let’s not forget that the former FC Dallas man is still only 24 years old so the potential is unlimited and he’s in the right place to go very far
Bryan Reynolds – Stade Rennes
Last year Rennes finished fifth in Ligue 1, so Reynolds jumps from mediocrity playing for a mid-table Belgian team (Westerlo) to spending midweek battling European opponents. So honestly, I am personally pleased with this move. I had covered Bryan on many occasions during his time in the Pro League where was one of the leagues better attacking fullbacks. I am just surprised that it took this long for a team to come and rescue him.
His mission in France should be first to establish himself as a starting XI for the Brittany club. That shouldn’t be too difficult. At the same time, he has to keep up the same pace as last season and the season before that.
Although there is always an adjustment period going from one league to another, especially one at a much higher level, he is likely to succeed and even prosper in his new environment.
If he has a very good season with this very good team, by the end of it, he could be the national team’s new starting right back.
Mark McKenzie – Toulouse FC
The Bronx native joined the Violets in the summer of 2024, also coming from Belgium and early on forced the coach to make him one of the starting central defenders. His first season with the team, he started 29 games and even chipped in a goal and an assist. The following season perhaps wasn’t as impressive as the first, but he still remained solid on the back line. His performances were not stellar, but he worked hard and usually got the job done.
Toulouse finished 10th which means that he’ll be watching European competitions from his sofa. And looking at the team composition, they’re likely to stay out of the European places. A good season would be to stay as far away from the relegation places as possible.
Overall Predictions
Let’s face it, nobody is going to unseat the defending French and European Champions, PSG, although Racing Lens will give them a run for their money, and so perhaps will Monaco.
Monaco will likely finish third, if Balogun remains with the team. Balogun is an established striker who will continue to bang in the goals but squad consistency will likely keep them from finishing any higher.
Marseille looks a very impressive team on paper, but the team is going through a slight rebuild. Weah will be a big part in the team’s success, but a lot depends on how quickly the new players gel. Having said that, they’re likely to finish in the fourth spot.
Tessmann will be an important piece of the Lyon puzzle in the middle of the park but although they finished the season strongly, the team is also rebuilding and lacks depth. Fifth place will probably be where they will finish.
Having finished sixth last season, I see them dropping a place mainly because their attack will be lacking up front. Reynolds will contribute with assists and an occasional goal, but the team will not set the league on fire. Rennes will end the season in seventh place.
McKenzie and Toulouse will give 100% every week but there just isn’t enough there to finish in the top half of the table, so 11th place will be an achievement.
