Ueda shines and Bakwa delivers, but Lille’s 7 signings still struggle

Lille have completed two months of competition with seven new signings and a mixed start: they are 4th in Ligue 1 and still aiming to reach the Champions League’s final phase. As RMC Sport points out, several arrivals are not yet fully convincing.

Jean Bommel handed a first start to Orlando Gill on Saturday against Brest, with Berke Özer sidelined by injury. The Paraguay goalkeeper was steady, although he had no chance on the goal after a shot by Lloris was deflected off Baldé.

Other cases vary: Loun Srdanovic has not played a single minute despite arriving from Servette for €3m in the summer; Tanguy Nianzou has started the last two Ligue 1 games and provided an assist for Bakwa in the win over Le Havre; and Maurits Kjaergaard remains Lille’s fourth midfield option, starting only once in Ligue 1 and playing 13 minutes vs Betis and 18 vs Arsenal in Europe.

Strong and weak points

Basar Önal cost €12m from NEC Nijmegen and has just 211 minutes in four Ligue 1 matches, with 2 minutes in the Champions League. He was left out vs Le Havre and again on the bench vs Brest. Up front, Ayase Ueda has impressed with 3 goals in 6 games (4 in Ligue 1, 2 in the Champions League), but he is out after a heel injury picked up against Arsenal, with recovery described as indefinite.

Dilane Bakwa is the standout so far: on loan from Nottingham Forest, he got plenty of minutes as Ethan Mbappé was affected by injuries and suspension. He scored against PSG in matchday two and also registered an assist, and Lille used him on the left against Brest so Mbappé stayed on the right.