Sidelined since October 2024, Nampalys Mendy has finally returned to the pitch with RC Lens. Against OM last weekend, he delivered a convincing performance, attracting Will Still, who now recognizes his importance to the balance of the Lens team. Since the 8th matchday of Ligue 1 against AS Saint-Étienne, Nampalys Mendy had not played a single minute in a Lens jersey. The Senegalese midfielder seemed to have fallen out of Will Still’s plans, who no longer counted on him in his rotation. He was even destined to leave the Blood and Gold, but after the winter break, he ended up staying at the club due to attractive offers. Thus, last Saturday against Olympique de Marseille, the RC Lens coach decided to relaunch him at a time when the club was going through an unprecedented crisis with poor performances and numerous injuries. A bold decision, but one that paid off. Will Still was full of praise for his midfielder’s performance. “I think he had a really good match against Marseille. He gives us balance. Both offensively and defensively,” the coach emphasized, stressing the importance of his play in limiting the opponent’s transitions. Mendy doesn’t rush forward unnecessarily and knows how to keep the ball under pressure, valuable qualities for a team seeking stability. “If the others around him are moving forward, he tends to maintain this balance so as not to be overwhelmed by transitions in the other direction. He’s important. He doesn’t lose the ball under pressure either. Technically, it’s pretty clean. He obviously has the experience he has. He doesn’t lose the ball often. That’s a good thing. We know that confidence plays a big role in a season,” he added.
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