Maxi Oyedele emerging as key option for Strasbourg midfield before Conference League trip to Mainz | OneFootball

Fully fit Polish midfielder Maxi Oyedele now has a chance to influence Strasbourg’s run-in, with a Conference League quarter-final first leg at Mainz on Thursday at 21:00. Whether he can now command a place in the starting line-up is an open question.

He burst onto Ligue 1 at Nantes on 22 March, his first start, scoring a spectacular strike nominated among March’s best. Gary O’Neil joked Oyedele himself might not have known he could finish like that, while the player called it a bonus and a confidence boost.

After the international break sharpened his fitness, he produced another strong display in the 3-1 win over Nice on Saturday. Stationed in front of the defence, behind Samir el-Mourabet, he broke up play, cleared danger and organised possession, misplacing three of 66 passes.

The 21-year-old’s composure and upright carriage underlined why Strasbourg paid six million euros for him last summer. A lingering muscle injury had delayed his impact for months.

Team-mate Martial Godo said Oyedele had endured very tough times, praised his humility and respect, and valued how he protects those around him. The club’s faith did not waver.

In mid January the Alsatian side opted against signing a midfielder, viewing Oyedele as their in-house addition. Instead, defender Aaron Anselmino, winger Gessime Yassine and striker Datro Fofana arrived and have eased in.

Oyedele has admitted the comeback was difficult, especially with the team progressing, yet he is now fully part of the squad. O’Neil has suggested he brings a different balance, focused on shielding the back line and stopping transitions, which the midfield sometimes needs to regain the ball. A system tweak to start him alongside El Mourabet and Valentin Barco at the MEWA-Arena could follow.

Source: L'Équipe