Lens began the season fearing the worst. Now they’re beating the elite | Luke Entwistle

<p>Will Still kept Lens competitive last season despite losing key players. They’re climbing even higher under Pierre Sage</p><p>By <a href="https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/">Get French Football News</a></p><p>When the Lens president, Joseph Oughourlian, set out the club’s “No 1 objective” before the season, he did not mention European qualification, a points target or even a cup run. The task at hand was to “rediscover financial solidity”. Sporting ambitions have taken a backseat role at Lens since Oughourlian announced the introduction of austerity measures in the summer of 2024. His words have been mirrored in the club’s actions.</p><p>Since running Paris Saint-Germain close for the title in the 2022-23 season, when they finished one point behind the eventual champions, the Lens squad has been decimated. First, it was Seko Fofana and Loïs Openda; then it was Abdukodir Khusanov, Elye Wahi, Brice Samba and Kevin Danso; and this summer it was Neil El-Aynaoui, Andy Diouf and Facundo Medina.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/27/ligue-1-lens-will-still-pierre-sage">Continue reading...</a>