Ever since their dominant spell in the 2000s Olympique Lyonnais have been seen as giants of French football, building their footballing successes thanks to the solid business know-how of owner and chairman Jean-Michel Aulas. Without a trophy in three seasons Lyon will be looking to this season in order to renew these ambitions.  However, with a lack of real transfer activity and key players linked elsewhere what should Lyon realistically be looking to achieve this season?

Lyon have lost defensive midfielder Jérémy Toulalan, who left to join Spanish side Malaga.  Toulalan battled with some personal demons last season in the hangover from the disappointing World Cup campaign with France.  His place in the side, for the moment at least, looks like it will be populated by Maxime Gonalons.  Questions have been raised over the long-term appeal of Gonalons whilst Lyon continue negotiations for Auxerre’s Delvin Ndinga, who Jean-Michel Aulas sees as a true and economical replacement for Toulalan.

The glaring concern may be the defence.  Cris, the club captain, is the most experienced but there is the argument that his overall quality has deteriorated.  Playing alongside the young but aggressive Dejan Lovren may be the best partnership available as Lovren needs to work on his discipline before he is seen as the true successor to Cris.  With John Mensah having returned from loan at Sunderland, it seems as though he will be used as a backup to the main pairing.

In addition, left-sided players Michel Bastos and Aly Cissokho have been linked with moves away to clubs like Juventus, Inter, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.  Whilst Rémi Garde has stated that it is possible that one of these players will leave, owner Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the club must be shrewd spenders this season.  In recent seasons, Lyon have overspent without achieving the aim of winning back the Ligue 1 crown.  Aulas has stated his intentions to see a few experienced players leave the club, with the new vision of using some younger players.

This general view may see Lyon save plenty of cash but with clubs around Lyon spending plenty of money or smartly spending their cash, Lyon run the risk of being left behind in the transfer market and therefore, in the league standings at the end of the season.

With this being said it may not all be doom and gloom for Lyon.  The club finally parted from manager Claude Puel following three seasons without success.  His replacement Rémi Garde is someone who knows the club well following his lengthy spell as coach and president of the youth and training facilities.  This will be seen as a positive step as he should in theory, be able to get the best out of the players due to the fact that he knows both them and the club well.

Add to this the fact that the squad seem to have developed more of a sense of togetherness and there may actually be a recipe for long-term success at the club.  Several senior squad members stated their opposition to Claude Puel’s management of the club with Brazilian defender and club captain Cris being the most vocal of the group in speaking out against his former coach.  Cris even went so far as to say: “I lost the desire to wear the armband under Puel.”

Now, things have changed and the camp seems to have a more positive atmosphere and the club can once again look forward to the goals of Lisandro López in attack.  There could also be more playing time for youngsters like Alexandre Lacazette and Clément Grenier, who have impressed when called upon by the French youth teams but have yet to be given a real opportunity in the first-team at club level.

Overall, fans of Lyon seem to be divided on what the club will realistically achieve this season. Whilst fans may be able to agree that the title may just be out of reach for the club this season, opinion is certainly split on whether the club will qualify for the Champions League at the end of the 2011-12 season.  Given the fact that Paris Saint-Germain have spent heavily, Marseille have spent with one eye on the bank balance and Lille look to have strengthened their squad, most pundits would have these as the top three.  Competition may also come from Rennes who are a striker away from being a strong unit, and Bordeaux who will have renewed confidence in themselves under new boss Francis Gillot.

The main talking point from France this summer has undoubtedly been PSG’s takeover.  Having spent a vast amount of money already in this transfer window, it’s hard to see them as anything other than a sleeping giant – a matter of time before a title comes along.  Lyon on the other hand, could be seen as the fallen giants of Ligue 1 – without a trophy in three years and not having done a whole lot in order to levitate the fears of some sections of fans.  Having Rémi Garde in charge, despite his lack of experience may be a solid decision when thinking of the long-term.

The French league has seen lots of drama over the past few years at the top and bottom of the table.  This season may be no different.  Lyon’s bare minimum aim for this season should be to reach the Champions League but even this may be out of sight for the French giants.  Whilst things may not be looking too great regarding transfers, there are still at least some reasons to be cheerful at OL.

Jason write about French football for a number of fine websites and is a member of the superb French Football Weekly team. You can follow him on Twitter @J_746 and can find his work on the French Football Weekly site.