Estéban Lepaul’s climb to Ligue 1’s summit after Lyon exit and Orléans slump | OneFootball

Estéban Lepaul, 25, shares the Ligue 1 scoring lead with Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli on 16 and faces former club Angers on Saturday at 21:05, matchday 29.

He drew level after two penalties in Rennes’ 4-3 win at Brest last weekend. According to L'Équipe, few foresaw this rise given his earlier setbacks.

In spring 2020, after five years in Lyon’s academy, he was released. Recruiter Gérard Bonneau had seen a slight forward whose power and readiness were questioned, with clubs wanting specific physiques and peers like Amine Gouiri and Willem Geubbels.

The decision arrived amid Covid and the death of his father, leaving him briefly without a club but newly driven. Trials at Metz, Dunkerque and Rodez failed before Épinal offered a chance, then Orléans followed.

A solid first National season brought 27 games and eight goals, then a far tougher second as coach Xavier Collin departed in December 2022 and Lepaul managed 12 games and one goal. Feeling ill at ease, he stopped publicising goal targets as his agent Mickaël Libong arranged a personal mental coach.

Back at Épinal, he framed it as a last chance under pressure and delivered 12 goals in six months. Angers signed him in January 2024, promotion to Ligue 1 came soon after.

Top-flight beginnings were hesitant. Behind Bamba Dieng and Ibrahima Niane, his first start after six rounds, a 1-3 loss to Reims, did not convince, and staff asked for smarter runs and collective pressing.

He accepted he was short of the required level, held clear talks with Alexandre Dujeux, then a December 2024 cup tie at Bobigny against FC93, won 1-0, proved a spark. More clinical and better at attacking space, he joined Rennes last summer.

At Rennes he has called relegation fights too brutal, preferring the positive pressure of chasing Europe. Bonneau says his path shows some must step down to recover rhythm and that time can matter for Lyon prospects.

Source: L'Équipe