LIGUE 1 PREVIEW | Lens prepare to battle on domestic and continental fronts

One to watch: Salis Abdul Samed – The Ghanaian international was arguably the best midfielder in Ligue 1 last season. As he explained in an interview with Get French Football News, since arriving from Clermont last summer he has taken his overall play into another dimension, having gained the confidence to drive forward from midfield himself after his interceptions. With Séko Fofana gone, the focus will be on the 23-year-old Abdul Samed to step out of the Ivorian international’s shadow and lead the team from midfield, on both domestic and European stages.

Signing to watch: Andy Diouf – The French midfielder’s loan spell last year from Rennes to Basel proved the ideal platform to launch his career, no least thanks to his performances on the European stage. He was named UEFA’s Conference League young player of the season as the Swiss side notably knocked out Nice on their way to the semi-finals, and scored all three of his goals last year in the group stages of the competition. 

Lens will have high expectations for the French U21 international, who arrives in the wake of Séko Fofana’s departure – in pre-season, the 20-year-old has already claimed a regular starting spot alongside Salis Abdul Samed, precisely in the former captain’s role. His box-to-box style, along with his driving runs forward and eye for a long-range goal, will mean he has every chance of emulating the Ivorian international.

Squad analysis: The squad that Franck Haise clinched second place in Ligue 1 with is mostly intact, with Séko Fofana and Loïs Openda the only departures of note. Given the French coach’s style of play revolves more around collective effort than individual exploits, Lens will likely continue their all-action approach on the pitch,