The 2016-17 campaign was a turbulent season of transition for Lille as Les Dogues finished 11th in Ligue 1 following a year of managerial upheaval, which saw Frédéric Antonetti depart mid-season. Despite the inconsistency and an early European exit in the UEFA Europa League qualifying round, the club found a reliable source of offense in Nicolas de Préville, whose 14 goals proved vital in securing a comfortable mid-table position and remains a defining moment in a year of stabilization.