Lille lack depth, says Garcia

Lille manager Rudi Garcia believes his side have no hope of winning the league unless they strengthen their squad in the current transfer window.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions sit four points behind leaders PSG but will lose a number of their key players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ludovic Obraniak also looks set to leave the club as he demands more first team football, with Bordeaux said to be interested in the Polish midfielder.

“Nothing has changed since the end of December, we still need an extra forward,” Garcia said.

“Moussa (Sow) will go the Africa Cup of Nations and Tullio De Melo will not be here. And there is always the case of Ludo (Obraniak). Ludo will only leave when we find his replacement.”

Garcia’s side face Chantilly in the Coupe De France this weekend before playing Lyon in the Coupe de Ligue four days later.

Lille have performed in the league thus far, losing just one of their 19 matches this term.

However, Garcia does not believe his team are capable of successfully defending their title unless improvements to the squad are made.

“For me, it can’t be a target as our team do not have enough depth and talent on the bench.”

Lille are back in Ligue 1 action next weekend against Marseille.