Ligue 1: Seko Fofana, an elephant who climbs enormously
The Ivorian Séko Fofana, the iron of Lens of Blood and Gold. AFP - FRANCOIS LO PRESTI
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 min
Seko Fofana's performance against PSG (1-1) on Saturday, December 4 confirmed the new dimension taken by the Ivorian international from RC Lens.
The midfielder is currently undoubtedly among the best players in Ligue 1.
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Twelve balls recovered, 90% of successful passes, 67% of successful dribbles and 3 shots including two on target. The numbers don't tell the whole story, they just cover the basics. In the case of Séko Fofana, the statistics forget to describe the fantastic rides of the Lensois, the incessant back and forth from one camp to another and especially the hold on the game of the Blood and Gold.
The Ivorian international confirms his good season last year by being currently one of the best - if not the best - players in the French championship. Facing PSG on Saturday, Fofana displayed the panoply of the perfect midfielder; the one who rakes, recovers, initiates the attacks and sometimes concludes the actions. Scorer against the Parisians of Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappé, the native of Paris is already five goals since the start of the season. It is an understatement to say that Lens's 5th place in the Ligue 1 standings owes a lot to the former Manchester City player.
The Sang et Or trainer, Franck Haise, is full of praise for his Ivorian international. “
He's an intuitive person. (…) He knows the club well, our playing principles (…) He has improved on defensive aspects. He has always given priority to the collective, and that's why I appointed him vice-captain at the start of the season. It gave him even more confidence maybe and also responsibilities he wanted to take. Now is the time for him to continue his evolution. He can for example increase his variety of last or penultimate pass
. "
Seko Fofana's game by numbers vs.
PSG:
90% pass accuracy
70 total hits
4 chances created
4 attempted long passes
3 successful long passes
3 shots [2 on target]
3 attempted dribbles
2 successful dribbles
2 fouls suffered
1 interception
1 goal
Masterclass.
🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/mbF2vwUFgr
- Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 4, 2021
Absent for CAN?
Blossoming in Lens, Seko Fofana should not however stay too long in the club of the North of France, so his coast does not stop rising.
The midfielder, who had not made his hole in Manchester City, dreams always bigger to the point of now wanting to focus on his club and put the Ivorian selection on hold.
In 2017, the one who grew up in the 20th arrondissement of Paris decided to wear the Elephant jersey after playing in the French team from under 16 to under 19. Today, four years his first match, and six poor selections, the one who admires Yaya Touré does not give priority to Côte d'Ivoire. “
He (Fofana) was on my list but I spoke with him and his choice is not to come to the selection
, explained at the beginning of October Patrice Beaumelle, the coach of the Elephants.
There is no problem between us but, today, he gives priority to his club and it is his choice
”.
It is therefore unlikely to see the Lensois colossus at the next African Cup with Côte d'Ivoire.
An absence that delights RC Lens and the followers of Ligue 1 in advance.
Seko Fofana is insane.
It is a pure delight.
This mixture of generosity, power and technique.
You have to take advantage of it because I fear that he will leave France at the end of the season… #RCLPSG
- Giovanni Castaldi (@Gio_Castaldi) December 4, 2021
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