Angers had no money to sign strikers so turned to youth players. It worked

"The season started with a win for Angers, but it was a win that brought more fear than hope. Esteban Lepaul scored the only goal of the game as they beat Paris FC. The Frenchman had been a revelation in the second half of last season, as his nine goals ensured safety for Ligue 1's second lowest scorers. But Rennes were circling and he was gone by the end of August."

"Angers scrambled for a replacement and they seemed to have found him. Remy Labeau-Lascary had already posed with the Angers shirt and trained with his new teammates when the DNCG, French football's financial watchdog, pulled the plug on the deal. Angers were unable to increase their wage bill, so he returned to Lens before hastily heading out on loan to Brest."

"A move for Steve Mounie fell through for the same reason. Unable to sign players, they had to look to their academy. We are obliged to develop players, Angers' assistant manager Lamine Mbaye tells us. It was a sliding doors moment, a blessing in disguise, as it meant that Cherif and Peter two endearing boys in the words of Mbaye had to be thrust into the limelight."

Angers lost their top scorer to Rennes and were prevented from signing replacements by financial constraints enforced by the DNCG. Planned signings including Remy Labeau-Lascary and Steve Mounie collapsed due to wage-limit issues, forcing the club to promote from the academy. Eighteen-year-olds Sidiki Cherif and Prosper Peter became the club's leading strikers and have scored six of Angers' ten league goals. The season began with Esteban Lepaul's goal and his subsequent departure. Assistant manager Lamine Mbaye framed the situation as a turning point that accelerated the teenagers' exposure and development.

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