Emiliano Sala, under contract until 2020, has scored 10 goals since the start of the season. A total that allows the center-forward of FC Nantes to enter the history of the club.
He does not want to talk about it, but it speaks. With ten goals scored in twelve championship days (eleven played by the player), Emiliano Sala is the second best scorer in the five biggest European leagues (behind Mbappé, 11 goals). With a goal every 75 minutes (against one every 213 minutes in 2016-2017, his best season in terms of ratio so far), the striker FC Nantes panic counters.
He surpasses Japhet N'Doram (1995-1996) and a certain Vahid Halilhodzic (1984-1985), both of whom have nine goals after twelve games among the elite. "He is very successful. I hope and I wish him to overtake Vahid, "launched the Bosnian after the doubling of his artificer. Only Philippe Gondet (13 goals in 65-66) and Angel Marcos (11 goals in 71-72) did better in the history of the Yellow House.
Emiliano Sala, 28, has reached a plateau. "He has gained experience and maturity," says Olivier Quint, France Bleu Loire Océan consultant for several seasons. I find him more adroit. His left and right foot control is a very high level sequence against Toulouse. In the same way, his crossed head, always against Téfécé, is really beautiful. He can still miss some great opportunities but he has really progressed in finishing. With 65% shots on target (13/20), he is the best in Ligue 1 (ahead of Neymar, 57.6% and Boschilia 54.5%). 50% of his attempts have hit home. Ruffling!
The Italo-Argentinian has improved technically. He also feels better shots. "It's in the right place at the right time. His second goal against Guingamp, attests, " said Olivier Quint.
The fortieth roaring
If the team can always count on his work as the first defender, he has better control over his efforts. "He harasses differently and more accurately," adds Olivier Quint. He therefore gains lucidity. The three-way diagram, with a sentinel, allows it to play this role of fixation point. "It's a pivot that makes his physical power speak. Back to the goal, he must play in one touch and then get back, " explains his coach, Vahid Halilhodzic. The contribution of Gabriel Boschilia is no stranger to the performance of the South American.
Able to return from time to time in the heart of the game and endowed with a technique above average, the attacking midfielder loaned by Monaco finds his center forward in ideal positions. "By his profile, Boschilia manages and knows how to play close to Sala. It's inevitably an advantage, " says Olivier Quint, who finds some of the characteristics of Viorel Moldovan in Sala.
Author of twelve goals in the last two seasons in the league (only one double each time), Emiliano Sala also took the good habit of reporting points: fifteen with Ranieri, ten in 2016-2017 and six in his first season in Nantes , when Kolbeinn Sigthorsson had the status of holder.
FC Nantes de Gondet, 36 goals in total, was crowned champion of France in 65-66. That of Angel Marcos, 20 goals in 71-72, had ended the season in 7th place. "The team works well so our striker too," slips Valentin Rongier.
This season, Sala's ten goals, 40 goals in the yellow jersey, allowed the Canaries, 10th, to win seven of their 15 points. "It's the most important," says the consultant. Like all scorers, he will experience a less easy period. But he will have to bring something different. By assists, for example. This unbelievable start to the season increases the urgency of extending the player, who is still linked to the FCN for a year and a half. In case of failure of negotiations, currently underway, the club would be interested, from an economic point of view, to sell it this winter ... An unimaginable outcome on the sporting level.