Lens: Kalimuendo, a free titi

Author of the Lensoise opener in Rennes last Saturday, Arnaud Kalimuendo entered the history of the Sang et Or. Because he became the first player to score in each of his first three starts with Lens in the elite. A series started in Dijon on November 22.

Aligned from the start when Ignatius Ganago was coming back from injury, he scored the only goal of the match (0-1), becoming in the process, at 18 years, 10 months and 2 days, the second youngest Lensois scorer of the century, behind a certain Raphaël Varane. Returned at the very end of the match against Nantes (1-1), he then found the starting XI and again made the nets tremble against Angers (1-3), and therefore on the lawn of Stade Rennais (0-2 ).

3 – Arnaud Kalimuendo has become the 1st player to score in each of his first 3 starts with Lens in Ligue 1 over the last 70 seasons. Essential. pic.twitter.com/P9nYts053B

– OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 5, 2020

An ideal start for the one who had already started at Bollaert this season, but under the jersey of Paris Saint-Germain on the second day. Three weeks later, barred by the arrival of Moise Kean, he was loaned by the capital club to Racing Club de Lens, not without having previously been extended his contract until 2024.

And it was not long in adapting in the North. “I have integrated very well into the team. My first choice was to play in the French elite. I wanted to evolve within a quality group like RC Lens, he confided at a press conference. The club is very family-friendly, and I feel liberated on the pitch. “

Kakuta: “I can find him by closing my eyes”

And this was seen in particular at Roazhon Park, where, served by Gaël Kakuta, he did not question his control-strike sequence from the left in the small opposite net just before half an hour of play. “It’s a different profile, which brings speed and technique. I manage to find it by closing my eyes“, also appreciates Kakuta, the club’s top scorer tied with Ganago (5 goals), ahead of Kalimuendo and Sotoca (3 goals).

An abundance of offensive talents for Franck Haize, the coach of the surprisingly promoted Artesian, who should not immediately align the duo Ganago-Kalimuendo from the start, and in particular on Saturday evening (9 p.m.) against Montpellier.

In any case, the performances of the young striker did not go unnoticed, in particular, one can imagine, on the side of his training club, where we must carefully follow the evolution of the one who scored more than fifty goals in all competitions with the Parisian U19s these last two seasons. Does he already imagine a winning return to the capital? “It’s a goal, he confessed to Téléfoot. But for now I just arrived two months ago so I’m focusing more on my season and what we can do with Lens. We will then see at the end of the season what will happen. “

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