PROFILE | Odsonne Édouard goes from Crystal Palace outcast to title contender at Lens | OneFootball

“A cross from Matthieu Udol, a header from Odsonne Édouard, a cross from Matthieu Udol, a header from Odsonne Édouard…” said OGC Nice’s increasingly irate commentator as Édouard netted RC Lens’ second in a victory over Les Aiglons in December. The clip went viral, with the two aforementioned players making reference to the clip on their social media accounts. It was the second time that the pair had combined in the game, with Udol assisting both of Édouard’s goal in the 2-0 win. 

The latter has thrived since joining Les Sang et Or from Crystal Palace over the summer and he is doing so thanks to the repetitive nature of the chances that he is receiving. He is being platformed and, with Lens crossing the ball into the box more than any other side in Ligue 1, it feels as though the whole system is tailored to his skillset. Udol has been excellent, but as has Florian Thauvin, who has that capacity to go inside or outside and who has an excellent delivery. 

Édouard top of goal-scoring standings for Lens

At the halfway point of the season, Édouard already has seven goals to his name in the Ligue 1. He is currently Lens’ top goalscorer and within the top 10 in the Ligue 1 goal-scoring rankings. His goals have proven valuable, given Lens’ tendancy to win by slim margins, a natural byproduct of a team whose main strength is keeping goals out at the other end.

Upon his arrival in France, Édouard had been largely written off, given his middling spell at Crystal Palace and complete disappearance during last season’s loan spell at Leicester City. But in France, Édouard has rediscovered his rhythm and returned to form; the latter is the product of the former. The undisputed first-choice, he is thriving off the confidence that Pierre Sage has shown in him, a stark contrast to his relationship with Ruud Van Nistelrooy last season. 

His move to Lens rubs salt in the wounds at Nice. Not only did he net twice to consign them to a club-record ninth consecutive defeat, he also almost joined Le Gym back in the summer, only to eventually join up with Sage’s title-chasing tie. If Les Sang et Or are keep pace with Paris Saint-Germain in the New Year, they will need Édouard to continue his rich vein of form. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle