Lens’ Remarkable Rise: Challenging PSG for the Title

omidbasir- Luis Enrique maintains that there are no significant issues at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), asserting, “What has changed, compared to last season, is Lens. They are different. The rest is as usual.”

However, this assertion only captures part of the truth. Lens has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming almost unrecognizable compared to the team that failed to qualify for European competitions less than a year ago.

Under former manager Will Still, Lens was a solid contender, finishing eighth in the league—a commendable performance for a club known for selling its best players. The real turnaround can be attributed to Pierre Sage, who took over the managerial role last summer and has since exceeded all expectations.

Initially, Sage was seen as a sensible choice, having previously managed Lyon under challenging circumstances before his dismissal. At the start of the season, his primary objective was to avoid relegation, a goal that the club was content with, focusing instead on financial stability.

Yet, following a decisive 5-0 victory against Paris FC, Sage acknowledged that the team’s ambitions have evolved. He stated, “The title isn’t on my mind. We’ve achieved our goal (avoiding relegation), so now we’ll think about the Conference League. The Champions League requires at least three wins, if not more, so we’re thinking more about Olympique de Marseille or Olympique Lyonnais than PSG.”

This perspective is markedly different from that of his players. Odsonne Edouard, a former Crystal Palace striker, confidently remarked, “We are in a good position to fight for the title – we are not going to hide it. We are competitors. We will go until the end.”

Given the high level of performance displayed by many players, there is little reason to doubt Lens’ potential to challenge PSG effectively. Since their last title bid in the 2022-23 season, when they finished just one point behind PSG, the club has lost several talented individuals, including Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin Danso, who now play in the Premier League.

After losing three key players in the recent transfer window, veteran midfielder Adrien Thomasson expressed uncertainty about the team’s prospects. He mentioned, “We were asking ourselves how it would look this season, and whether the players who replaced those who left would be at the same level. And in this sense, the club worked well because we have a competitive team, which, for me, is better than last year. We are more balanced, I think. We really have profiles of players that we didn’t necessarily have last season, especially in attack. For me, we are a more complete team.”

This newfound completeness is evident, as nearly all new signings have made a significant impact at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Robin Risser, acquired for €3 million from Strasbourg, had previously not played in Ligue 1 but is now being considered for a senior national team call-up.

Left wing-back Matthieu Udol, signed for €3.5 million, is currently enjoying the prime of his career, while Florian Thauvin’s return to form at Lens has led to his re-inclusion in the national squad at age 33. Edouard, costing €3.7 million, is reviving his career after a challenging loan at Leicester City.

Mamadou Sangare has reportedly caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, due to his commanding performances in midfield. Additionally, Samso Baidoo, another €8 million summer signing, has been impressive in defense, drawing interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Nonetheless, the resurgence of Lens cannot be solely attributed to their recruitment strategy. Sage’s ability to rejuvenate existing squad members has also played a crucial role. Wesley Said, for instance, is experiencing a career-high with 10 goals from the left flank, while Thomasson has thrived in a deeper playmaking role.

Sage’s confidence in Malang Sarr, who was retained despite being open to a sale, has also been pivotal. The coach recognized Sarr’s potential to contribute significantly to the defense, leading to a marked improvement in the team’s defensive record, with Lens conceding the fewest goals in Ligue 1 this season.

Current performance statistics highlight Lens’ impressive form, with the team not failing to score in a game since late October. This success has sparked optimism among supporters and former club officials alike, including ex-president Gervais Martel, who exclaimed, “This team is a steamroller: they defend while moving forward and press opponents into mistakes. So, why not dream of being champions?!”

Despite the enthusiasm, Sage remains cautious, underscoring PSG’s exceptional capabilities. He remarked that PSG’s potential resurgence, as seen last season, poses a challenge. “As soon as PSG put their foot down in the final stretch, it’s possible we won’t see them again,” he cautioned.

Moreover, a recent comment from Ousmane Dembélé highlighted internal challenges within PSG. He emphasized the need for collective team spirit, stating, “Last season, we put the club first, before thinking about ourselves, and I think we need to get back to that. We’re in the second half of the season, and it’s Paris Saint-Germain that should come first, not individual players, because if we play on our own on the field, it won’t work. We won’t win the titles we want.”

As the season progresses, there is a flicker of hope for Lens, although Sage emphasizes the necessity of securing a victory against PSG in their upcoming matchup to realistically contend for the title. “I’ve never beaten PSG before,” he admitted, “but if that could happen on April 12th, that wouldn’t be bad!” A victory in that pivotal encounter could, indeed, lead Sage to contemplate the possibility of winning the title.