RCLens are looking to consolidate their defense before their duel against Troyes on Saturday evening, and the club is considering starting recently recruited Jean-ClairTodibo to fill the void left by the departure of MalangSarr. After four away outings where the team conceded two goals in each match, the Artesian leaders want to find a more stable and experienced rearguard.
Malang Sarr, a key “rearguard” defender, left the club, creating a lack of leadership in the defensive zone. Todibo, aged 26, joined Lens at the end of the transfer window and was integrated gradually. His first minutes as a team were limited: 35 minutes against Le Mans then a promising 45 minutes in Monaco. Although his playing time remains insufficient to fully assess his level, benchmarks and confidence seem to be returning. L’Équipe reports that the player is close to being operational, which suggests that he could be selected for Saturday’s match.
The choice not to launch him immediately in the Champions League, where he would have faced SportingCP, was motivated by caution. Returning too quickly could have exposed Todibo to additional difficulties. The trip to Troyes is therefore seen as more favorable terrain for him to make his mark and take responsibility for the defense. The coaches want his experience and calmness to help stabilize the backline, especially when we observe placement errors and depth management that have left spaces to exploit.
RCLens also saw their goalkeeper Samson Baidoo return after an injury, but the defense remains young and fragile. Transition errors and the difficulty in managing high pressing have highlighted the limits of the current system. By integrating Todibo as a starter, the team hopes to strengthen defensive cohesion and reduce the flaws observed in recent matches.
As the club prepares for its next clash, the objective is clear: to find a more solid and experienced back line. If Todibo is indeed named a starter, he will have to quickly adapt to the demands of the championship and show that he can hold the bar against opponents like Troyes. The next match will therefore be decisive to determine whether the defender can become the expected pillar of the Lens defense.