Having joined the ranks of RC Lens between 1990 and 1994, Australian Robbie Slater completely validated the arrival of his compatriot Mathew Ryan in the transfer window. The 32-year-old goalkeeper is a real leader.
Hervé Koffi has reason to worry. If he thought of making the match with the successor of Brice Samba, the RC Lens goalkeeper saw the arrival in the person of Mathew Ryan of a number 1 more than second. Having joined the ranks of RC Lens between 1990 and 1994, Robbie Slater speaks of his Australian compatriot as a true phenomenon.
Ryan, quite a character
“I’ve known him since he was a teenager,” Slater tells L’Équipe. My best friend, Graham Arnold, who was Australia coach (2006-2007 then 2018-2024), launched him at the high level, with the Central Coast Mariners (in 2010), and that was the beginning of an extraordinary story. He had to take circuitous routes to reach Europe (signing for Club Bruges in 2013). Matty is quite a character. It's essential when you come to Lens, and that's what they're going to have. A very experienced guy, with temperament. »
-“A goalkeeper in the Manuel Neuer style”
Asked about his style and level of play, Slater was full of praise for Ryan's potential: “A totally modern goalkeeper, a bit in the Manuel Neuer style. He is very strong in his kicking game. But he is also very good on his line, with good reaction time and very fast movements. Afterwards, he is not a big goalkeeper in terms of size (1.84 m). Not small, but not huge either. His time in England allowed him to progress on corners and free kicks. He is very authoritarian in his outings. »
To not miss any news from Sang et Or, follow our correspondent in Lens, William Tertrin, SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channelfollow our page Facebook But! Lens et our X account.
