French champions Olympique Lyon start life without Michael Essien when they entertain promoted Nancy on Saturday. The game will be Lyon's first since they said on Monday they had agreed to sell Ghana midfielder Essien to Chelsea for a French Ligue 1 record 38 million euros ($46.47 million).

"We talked about it a lot," Lyon's Brazil [Images] midfielder Juninho said of Essien's departure.

"I'm very happy for Michael. We will miss him a lot, obviously, but we have plenty of good players left."

The champions, chasing an unprecedented fifth successive title, lie in third position, two points behind leaders Paris St Germain after drawing 1-1 at Olympique Marseille last weekend.

"We're getting stronger," said Lyon coach Gerard Houllier, whose team have picked seven points from their first three matches.

"That last match in Marseille tested our mental strength and we passed that test well," he added.

Lyon are seeking reinforcements with the jackpot from the Essien deal but first of all they have to persuade their most influential player, Juninho, to stay at the club.

"We'll do everything to keep him," said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

"We can't afford to lose a second highly-valued player."

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Rumours are flying high in Lyon, that the club is interested in Michael Owen [Images] but they face a struggle to persuade the England [Images] striker, who is expected to leave Real Madrid [Images], to join them rather than returning to the Premier League.

Lyon have also mentioned Liverpool's Czech striker Milan Baros and Borussia Dortmund's Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky as possible newcomers.

Nancy have lost their first three matches and should not be too much of a problem for the champions.

Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, however, remained cautious.

"We respect Nancy," he said. "They have not scored yet but they have created good chances."

Houllier will probably have to make do without Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who has a sore knee.

Paris St Germain, the only side on maximum points from three games, visit promoted Troyes on Sunday.

Marseille coach Jean Fernandez, whose team lie fourth from bottom after picking just one point, is already in an uncomfortable situation.

The former European champions visit bottom-placed Rennes on Saturday in a match neither side can really afford to lose.

Rennes, the surprise package of last season, in which they finished fourth to qualify for the UEFA [Images] Cup, are the only team along with Nancy still without points.

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