Future recruit from Stade Rennais, Brice Samba will leave a big void at Racing Club de Lens. Sang et Or coach Will Still regrets the departure of his goalkeeper and captain whom he refuses to retain.
After midfielder Seko Fofana, Brice Samba should soon join Stade Rennais. The Racing Club de Lens goalkeeper has chosen to continue his career with the Rouge et Noir. A decision taken and announced to his trainer Will Still during the winter break. This is obviously a hard blow for the Lensois coach who nevertheless refused to retain his captain.
« I learned that he wanted to go away during the holidaysWill Still revealed to the media. It's obviously annoying, he's a very good goalkeeper and he's the captain, but from the moment the choice is made, there's not much to discuss. Keeping a player who no longer wants to be there is not necessarily a good thing for a locker room. In the end, it's not that complicated. Hervé (Koffi, the replacement goalkeeper) will play on Sunday (against Toulouse). » The Belgian has turned the page even if he does not entirely agree with the French international.
« Brice came to tell me. He's a big boy. He has respect for what it takes. He told me: “I received an offer, here is what I want to do. I understand your situation. Here is mine.” It stopped theresaid the former Reims coach. He also informed the club of his decision. Brice wants to leave, he has his opinion on certain things that I respect. Hervé will play in goal until further notice. There must be a recruitment process in place. » Lens will have a hard time affording a goalkeeper of the same level. However, Will Still wants to remain optimistic before the second part of the season.
Still's positive speech
« I want to exude a certain serenity: I came to Lens for the club, for the history, for the supporters, for what we want to put in place in the long term. I knew that there were things that were going to change, that players were going to leave. It's part of life at a football club. It's not an ideal situation but we're moving forward, we'll find other solutions and continue to win matches. That's why I came here. And no player is more important in the collective. And never will be, especially not in Lens. The group, at the moment, is full of qualities », reassured the RCL coach, not immune to other important departures this winter.
