Khalis Merah should start for OL against Brest after unexpected early minutes | OneFootball

Khalis Merah, OL’s pre-season revelation, saw his minutes shrink in autumn, yet the 18-year-old is back in the frame. According to L'Équipe, he should start against Brest on Sunday with Corentin Tolisso suspended.

He started at Monaco as Ligue 1 resumed, the 3-1 on 3 January, then returned to the bench for the Coupe de France last 32 win at Lille, 2-1, the following weekend. He has since hovered on the fringes of Paulo Fonseca’s XI.

At his first OL press conference on Friday, Merah said he is learning fast, especially tactically, given the jump from amateur to professional football. He feels his progress is steady and hopes it continues.

Used on big nights for his ball retention and elusive style, he has started against Lille, Marseille and PSG as a false nine, an unfamiliar brief. He did not expect so many minutes and tries to repay his coach’s trust.

Tolisso will be missing, yet Merah, 19 next month, appears ready to cope without his mentor. He credits Coco with steady guidance and encouragement, and says he learns daily from his positioning, mentality and work.

For now he has one assist. Longer term he is likely to play deeper as a relay midfielder with the game ahead of him, as in his academy days. Raised near the stadium, part of the first fully OL Land generation, he hopes this momentum lasts and, at this rate, could secure a starting spot before leaving his parents’ home.

Source: L'Équipe