This Wednesday, RC Lens opened its doors to the public for family training at the François-Blin stadium. With nearly 4,000 spectators gathered in the stands three days before the big clash against Olympique de Marseille, the notable absence of a leading figure of the club left the supporters perplexed.
An expected, but invisible star
Florian Thauvin, 2018 world champion, elected Ligue 1 player of the month for September, returned to the French team after six years of absence… The champion was awaited like never before. The Lensois.com social networks confirm this: “Lots of signs, not bad for Florian Thauvin, obviously very popular with the youngest! »
However, during the public training session in the morning, Florian Thauvin was curiously absent from the field when the supporters arrived from 9:30 a.m. The three official dedications planned in Arras? They were provided by Rayan Fofana, Deiver Machado and Régis Gurtner. No mention of the participation of the Lensois winger.
It was only at the end of the session that Thauvin resurfaced, continuing specific work alongside Odsonne Édouard,
“continuing to light the guards” according to public comments. A detail that has not calmed concerns: why this different treatment? Preventive reason? Tactical rest? Unannounced physical discomfort?
RC Lens: the silence around Thauvin before Marseille makes people talk
The question that agitates Lens
With the clash against OM on Saturday at 9 p.m., every detail is important. Thauvin, author of 2 goals this season, remains a centerpiece of Pierre Sage's system. His partial absence from the public session raises legitimate questions about his real availability.
Returning to Lens this summer, the 32-year-old winger recently revealed that his state of form was not “not yet 100%”according to his own words at a press conference. Could this tactical absence on Wednesday morning indicate force management before the big meeting at the Vélodrome?
The answers will arrive Saturday evening. In the meantime, the Lensois forums are buzzing with questions about the availability of their world champion.
