With a heavy spending investor in position in the form of Dmitry Rybolovlev, experienced manager Claudio Ranieri at the helm and new imports Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, the future looked rosy for AS Monaco in 2013. Although plenty has changed since, can this project now be viewed as a success story?
Les Rouges et Blancs currently sit second in Ligue 1, a position they have finished in once in two seasons since their return to the French top flight. A pulse racing Champions League run to the quarter-finals last term will have also come close to satisfying their supporters.
However, their exploits this season, particularly in Europe, could not have struck a more contrasting tone. They failed to qualify for the group stage of the same competition this term and even fell in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, registering only one win - at home to Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag.
With fans coming to the end of their tether with the club's hierarchy over their running of the club, which they believe to be the chief cause of this predicament, the question must be posed as to why a side with already significant talent amongst its squad, enormous financial resources to exploit and the prestige of being one of French football's most successful clubs, are failing to mount a convincing challenge to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.
Transfer acumen: Poor or unfortunate?
The most obvious argument would lay with the club's selling mentality. Big stars have come and gone, such as James Rodriguez, midfield linchpin Geoffrey Kondogbia and highly rated young forward Anthony Martial, all of whom were sold for huge profits. This is defendable, however, as some clubs simply can't refuse certain offers for players.
Although this method, seen with Porto and Valencia, presents financial reward and is sustainable, it causes issues upon the pitch. A revolving door of players coming and going does not allow the head coach, in this case Leonardo Jardim, to build a strong core of players within his side.
However, this problem is manufactured not by the selling mentality but instead by the club's transfer policy, with seemingly flamboyant, overseas players being favoured over proven talent. Signings made last summer have proved frustrating with Guido Carrillo, Stephane El-Shaarawy, Adama Traore and Ivan Cavaleiro making a combined 42 league appearances between them this season while scoring no goals in the process. These four were purchased for a combined cost of £28m, with El-Shaarawy on a loan deal from AC Milan, and will be expected to sell for a greater value.
For the club, this return obviously will be viewed as highly disappointing, however, how predictable has their failure to hit the ground running been?
Problematic goal drought
Signing Guido Carrillo from Estudiantes certainly seemed a risk. League football in South America is vastly different from that in France and, similar to so many players making similar moves, he has struggled to adapt to the increased physicality involved in European football. Making on average less than a chance every two games and with a shot accuracy of only 32%, Carrillo's career on the south coast of France looks bleak.
This is particularly problematic for Monaco given their lack of striking options. To make the next step they must sign striking reinforcements as the current predicament of having to rely on the frankly one-dimensional, man-mountain Lacina Traore is not a sustainable one and not one Monaco will make progress under.
In fact, this is being reflected by results and their goal difference is on the slump. It is currently two, 39 behind leaders PSG, and their number of goals scored has consistently fallen since their return to Ligue 1 in 2013. For a side that has been able to import some of the world's most promising attacking talent, they have looked inhibited going forward.
The southern outfit's issue is made clearer by a look at their top goal scorers this season, with Bernardo Silva, Mario Pasalic, Fabinho, Almamy Toure and Thomas Lamar all only on three goals.
It is plain to see that the side is bereft of a goalscorer. This query may not necessarily become solved in the form of a new striker but, all the same, a forward must be signed to offer a much needed alternative goalscoring option, but also to give talented attacking midfielders such as Bernardo Silva, Nabil Dirar and Stephane El-Shaarawy an attacking focal point.
The forward in question is, strangely, likely to be Monaco star Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian reportedly attempting to cut his loan with Chelsea short this month. The 29-year-old has not represented the Premier League club since October and is currently struggling with a thigh injury. This move could see Monaco given extra impetus up top.
Ailing defensive unit is compounding goalscoring issue
Scoring as few goals as Monaco are is concerning, but this is being compounded by an ageing defensive unit which, having lost the reliable Tunisian centre-back Aymen Abdennour, is relying upon veteran Ricardo Carvalho and even natural central midfielder Jeremy Toulalan. The 4-1 Europa League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last month perfectly demonstrated this.
Ultimately, this defensive unit must become more dynamic so that it is not left so vulnerable when it comes up against the increasingly fast and strong strikers. It is an imperative that Monaco become better prepared to deal with these threats, instead of compiling defensive lineups with players entering the swansongs of their respective careers.
Wallace is making slow but positive progress and is showing the potential of possibly becoming this breed of athletic defender but Monaco must dip into their youth system or the transfer market in order to form a more dynamic defensive core. This will, in turn, potentially take pressure off of their forwards, giving the side more confidence with which they can sweep away sides such as Caen and Troyes, who they have failed to defeat so far this season.
Must follow and learn from example set by PSG
However, bringing in quality replacements is not as easy as it sounds, especially with the reputation Monaco have of paying big transfer fees. Many teams in the past have proven how easy it is to squander a transfer budget very quickly, however in Ligue 1 they have a genuine advantage.
Monaco have witnessed PSG's rise to the top by buying the right superstars and adopting the right transfer strategies. Monaco must learn from the dominant force in French football as, in reality, Monaco are the only team in Ligue 1 who could come close to replicating the rise of the now infamous Paris side.
Animosity must be replaced with faith and support by fans
As mentioned previously, the fans at Monaco are losing touch with their side. The constant departures of different players has not allowed for fans to become attached to many of their stars, and unfortunately, this has had a damaging effect on relationships between fans and players.
Despite occupying the picturesque Stade Louis II, they often fail to fill the 18,523 capacity ground and consistently the fans bring with them a quiet, frosty atmosphere that must rub off negatively on the players. Fan appreciation gives a player confidence and certainly a lack of it does the opposite. Supporters have the right to feel frustrated and disillusioned with their club, however having been in Ligue 2 as recently as 2013, being consistently the second best team in France is far from a side who is underachieving.
It may take a change in transfer policy but given the example of Paris Saint-Germain in the last decade, there is certainly still hope that AS Monaco can step up and realistically challenge the aforementioned side. Things may have to change, but without a doubt, this Monaco side has the potential.