First winter recruit of RC Lens after the failure of Pau Lopez, Goduine Koyalipou arrives in Artois accompanied by questions and curiosity. This Central African international striker, trained in France, had to export to learn his skills and prove his talent. Before the discovery of Ligue 1 at the age of 24, with certain advantages for it to prove conclusive. Presentation.
A bumpy journey but a linear development
From the National to Ligue 1, via the Belgian D2 and the Bulgarian D1, all in two years and months: it is an understatement to say that we have had a more relaxing journey than that of Goduine Koyalipou. Which is not a bad sign: wherever he has been since 2023, the Central African striker has proven to be too strong for the level at which he played. After training from the age of eight at Niortwhere he made his professional debut at the age of 17 in Ligue 2, the native of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, was spotted by Lausanne-Sport in summer 2021. “ He was a player who was already very interesting athletically and in front of goal », remembers Valentin Trouillerformer player from the LOSC training center who rubbed shoulders with the neo-Lensois during a trial in Niort. However, in the partner club of OGC Nice, the attacker is struggling, between secondary status, limited playing time and repeated physical problems.
After 25 small matches in a year and a half, Goduine Koyalipou, almost 23 years old, chose France, the National and a loan to Avranches to launch a career that is already slipping. Enough to mark the start of the ascent. The former Niortais splashes the third division with his talent by settling definitively in the axis of attack after having played on the wings in recent years. Results: 13 goals in 18 matches and a striking feeling of superiority. “ At the end of his six months at Avranches, I don’t understand why a French club didn’t take on himsays Florent Toniutti, analyst and videographer, in his video presentation of the player. With our So Foot Arena index (specialized media on video and data analysis of the game, editor’s note) allowing you to project the level of a player in different championships, we saw that he had the potential to be at least a Ligue 2 player, or even bottom of the Ligue 1 table. From that moment, we would have given the green light for a club of this level. »
Finally, the SK Beverena modest Belgian D2 team, wins. And comes out stronger, since Goduine Koyalipou carries the Lions and wins the title of top scorer in the championship (16 goals). Rebelote with the CSKA Sofiawho paid a million euros last summer and will sell it for double this winter at RC Lens. “ Seeing the amount of €2M, I said to myself that RC Lens was doing a hell of a deal », says Florient Toniutti, who praises the qualities of “ best striker in the Bulgarian championship » (14 goals in 16 matches) and salutes the “ fairly linear progression » of the one who is “ become a good starter for Ligue 1 » according to the So Foot Arena performance index, both in finishing and in contribution to the game.
Goduine Koyalipou, the ideal 9 profile for RC Lens?
But more than knowing if he is ready or not for this level, it remains to know his compatibility with the needs and requirements of RC Lens of Will Still, who spoke at a press conference of his ability to be a “ scorer » alliant « depth grip » et « power ». « He’s a striker who scores goals, Lens needs him », engages Florent Toniutti. And for good reason: this season, no RC Lens striker has a positive differential between his goals scored and his xG (expected goals). Goduine Koyalipou has become a sure bet in this regard, with a big outperformance in Avranches (+3.09) and an almost balanced record over his latest experiences.
« I think he is less equipped than (M’Bala) Nzola in the fight, but I think he is better at finishing than Nzola “, compares the analyst between the current holder of the position and his new competitor, whose compatibility and association seem unclear given the generally quite similar characteristics. The Central African is no less part of the caste of physical watches. In addition to impressive speed, the 1.84m attacker compensates for your relatively ordinary height with impressive athleticism in the lower and upper body. “ He is above all a player who will associate with the others as a pivot : he knows how to use his body, hold the ball, resist pressurenotes the player’s connoisseur. He’s not Evann Guessand in motor skills, but he knows how to use his upper body and his arms. It’s really something he’s developed over the last three or four seasons.. »
And if, from a statistical point of view, his defensive contribution is very limited – a part which depends a lot on the tactical requirements of the coach in the defensive phase -, he will do more to temper the ardor of Florent Toniutti: “ From the moment Lens buys him for €2M, there is a case where he works and Lens can make a nice capital gain on him, but there is also the case where it would not work. With his time in Belgium and Bulgaria, he proved that there was a second market for him with the secondary championships (Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, etc.). All these championships would be likely to welcome it, with clubs capable of putting in 2, 3 or 4 million euros. There is therefore very little chance that this Lens operation will end negatively from a financial point of view. It looks like a very good move from the Lens management. » To be confirmed on the field now, with a potential first meeting in Le Havre, this Sunday.
Enzo PAILOT
Photo credits: RC Lens
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