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Promoted this year to Ligue 1, RC Lens achieved a 2020-2021 fiscal year well beyond the expectations set last summer. The Sang et Or finished this campaign in 7th place in the French championship. A position that does not allow them to hope to play a European competition next year. It’s time to study the tops and flops of this superb Lensoise season.
TOPS
Jonathan Clauss
Among the great architects of the excellent RC Lens campaign, Jonathan Clauss is at the top of this list. The 28-year-old had a blast in the role of right piston within the system in 3-4-3 (or 3-5-2) concocted by Franck Haise. On his 33 appearances in Ligue 1, he wrote down the trifle of 3 buts and issued 6 assists. A simply exceptional season for the former Quevilly resident who could have earned him a place among Didier Deschamps’ extended list for Euro 2021. His presence could have been a possible option to offer a solution to a poorly stocked right-back position in the French team. This absence is all the more questionable as Leo Dubois, author of a very inconclusive exercise with OL, appears in the group tricolor.
Loïc Badé
In a tactical scheme with 3 central defenders, there is very often a player who must take the control tower position. In other words, it is he who must direct his companions from the Lensoise rear guard. This season, it was Loïc Badé who put on this costume. Despite his young age (21), he showed impressive solidity. On land and in the air, he showed himself to be imperial, as illustrated his 9th place in the ranking of Ligue 1 players who have won the most aerial duels. Like his friend Jonathan Gradit, he showed great qualities in the recovery. It remains to be seen whether the RCL will manage to keep it during this transfer window, which is notably coveted on the side of Spain.
Gael Kakuta
Good defensive footing is good, but having smooth offensive play is even better. This season, Lens has the 6th attack in the French championship with 55 goals scored. Gaël Kakuta was the conductor. Positioned as playmaker just behind the two attackers, the player loaned with the option of purchase by Amiens regaled his teammates during his 35 matches played in Ligue 1. The player passed by Chelsea scored 11 goals and offered 5 assists.
THE FLOPS
Cheick Traore
First of all, it is important to point out that no Lensois has really delivered a bad season. On the other hand, some players like Cheick Traoré have been a cut below the rest of the team. Regarding the 26-year-old Malian, this difficult exercise can be explained first by a ruptured Achilles tendon during summer preparation. The former Stade Malherbe de Caen had to wait April 11, 2021 to play his first match in this 2020-2021 campaign. Bad luck pursued the right-back as he was affected by Covid-19 as soon as he comes back. He then walked the lawn for the second and last time of the season on the occasion of the 37th day of Ligue 1 and the trip to Bordeaux.
Issiaga Sylla
Arrived on loan from Toulouse last summer, Issiaga Sylla was supposed to be indisputable holder at the left-back position. However, between irregularity in performance and repeated absences, the Guinean has often been preferred to Massadio Haïdara. Especially since Sylla had to abandon his teammates during 3 of the last 4 days. Expelled in front of Nîmes following an extremely dangerous gesture in the face of Ripart, he was suspended for 3 matches.
The Covid-19
Of course, this Covid-19 pandemic struck the 19 other residents of Ligue 1 but his favorite target has been the RC Lens. The Blood and Gold had a catastrophic month of April with an impressive string of players affected by the virus. At first, these are Seko Fofana, Loïc Badé, Igniatus Ganago and Tony Mauricio who had to be sidelined. The 4 Lensois were then followed by Facundo Medina and Jonathan Gradit. Cheick Traoré and Gaël Kakuta have been added to this list. In total 8 RCL players tested positive during the month of April.
