PROFILE | Mamadou Sangaré – an embodiment of Lens’ strategy | OneFootball

Mamadou Sangaré is the embodiment of what RC Lens were and want to be again. When Les Sang et Or unexpectedly ran PSG close to the title back in 2022/23, they uncharacteristically splurged during the following transfer window. Elye Wahi came in for €30m, Andy Diouf for €14m, Angelo Fulgini for over €7m; all were flops, especially Wahi, whose torrid spell at the club came to an end after just one year. 

Those at the club admit their error during that 2023 summer transfer window and consciously reverted to the previous strategy last summer. “The [version of] Lens that performed well is the one that bought Loïc Badé intelligently, the one that went out and bought Jonathan Clauss, the one that intelligently loaned Arnaud Kalimuendo, without even speaking about the opportunities [seized] by signing Seko Fofana and Deiver Machado in Ligue 2 from Toulouse,” said the club’s sporting director, Jean-Louis Leca, who arrived over the summer. 

He added, “When we went and bought Kevin Danso and Facundo Medina, no one had heard of them. They were transfers worth €3/4/5m. If we can do good deals, we won’t hold back, but the version of Lens that performed best was not the one that spent €25-30m because that isn’t Lens.”

Sangaré tailor-made for the Premier League

Les Sang et Or are renowned for their saviness in the market, and a report from CIES had the club as the sixth most profitable in Europe when it comes to player profit, and the most profitable in France. Given the French model of developing and selling talent, it is impressive. 

And there is no reason to think that Sangaré won’t be the next to be flipped for big profit. The Malian had impressed at Rapid Vienna prior to his €8m move to Lens over the summer, but like many of their summer signings, he was a relative unknown. But in his opening months in Ligue 1, he has showcased his ability. 

Sangaré is impressive both in and out of possession. His tackling statistics are the best in Ligue 1, and he also ranks inside the top five in Europe’s top five leagues, at the time of writing. But on the ball, his languid style, coupled with his excellent vision and passing ability make him an excellent progressor of the ball. In short, he is one of a few Ligue 1 talents who feel tailored made for the Premier League. But before that, there is a title to compete for.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle