Allan Saint-Maximin, Florian Thauvin, Mamadou Sangaré: recruits key to Lens’s surge | OneFootball

RC Lens reached the Coupe de France final by beating Toulouse FC 4-1, and their Ligue 1 surge has the same hallmark, a near-faultless recruitment led by Florian Thauvin, Mamadou Sangaré and Allan Saint-Maximin.

According to L'Équipe, the trio are in their first season at Bollaert, where the tribune Marek serenaded sporting director Jean-Louis Leca, chief executive Benjamin Parrot and coach Pierre Sage.

Installed less than a year ago, Leca and Parrot were promoted in May by president-owner Joseph Oughourlian, replacing Diego Lopez and Pierre Dréossi, before appointing Sage in June.

Thauvin, a 6 M€ signing from Udinese and involved in all four goals against Toulouse, has been the headline act. The dressing room, guided by captain Florian Sotoca, has absorbed the influx with ease.

Sangaré, bought for 5 M€ plus 3 M€ in bonuses from Rapid Vienne, can rival Thauvin, who has 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions, for signing of the season. Saud Abdulhamid, on loan from AS Rome, supplied two assists against the TFC and is improving fast.

Sage said the cup run rests on a squad built for the task, smart rotation and collective performance, and he felt it highlights everyone. Abdallah Sima, a 4.5 M€ arrival from Brighton, is Lens’s top scorer in the cup with four goals.

The January window delivered Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig, Arthur Masuaku on loan from Sunderland and Allan Saint-Maximin on a free. Leca would swap recruitment plaudits for a trophy on 22 May.

Source: L'Équipe