PROFILE | Benjamin André justifies Lille’s desperate attempts to retain him | OneFootball

After six seasons, it looked as if Benjamin André’s time as Lille OSC’s Captain Fantastic was going to come to an end over the summer when he was courted by Paris FC. The newly promoted side had ambitions to make the 35-year-old the experienced face of their midfield. 

With only a year left on his contract, it looked to be a significant coup for a team flush with cash but desperate to consolidate their squad with Ligue 1 experience and leadership figures, while for Les Dogues, it perhaps represented the last realistic chance for them to recoup a transfer fee for their ageing captain. 

On paper, it looked like the perfect deal, a neat and logical conclusion to a beautiful journey. However, like in life, football is always at its best when there is a little romance to a decision and decisions are at least in part informed by the heart. Lille weren’t willing to let their captain leave, and instead convinced him to extend his contract for three years. 

As Lille’s club president, Olivier Létang explained, “André is undoubtedly one of the pillars of our squad, one of the symbols of the club’s project, the heart and DNA of our team. He perfectly embodies what Lille is all about: its value of fighting spirit, commitment, solidarity, resilience, and perseverance. André is one of the driving forces of the team and the locker room. He is a true Lille player, and remains so now more than ever.” 

André still first name on the teamsheet

Already in the twilight of his career, it would be very easy to raise an eyebrow at the sense behind this decision, but André has shown no signs of slowing down and has rapidly proven that he is a player to rely on. When available, the midfielder is the first name on Bruno Génésio’s team sheet, providing the biting aggression and defensive solidity that allows his teammates to flourish. 

His terrier-like defensive work can often overshadow the value he provides on the ball, and it can be easy to slip into lazy generalisations when looking at his playing style. André is far from a one-dimensional player and has already provided a goal threat, particularly in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored against PAOK and Dinamo Zagreb.

With Les Dogues looking to challenge for a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, we could be given another European adventure for Lille and their ever-present captain.

GFFN | Nick Hartland