Rising Star Neil El Aynaoui Shines for Lens in Ligue 1 Breakthrough

Appointed a starter for the first time on November 13 against Olympique de Marseille (1-0 win), Neil El Aynaoui meets Franck Haise’s expectations. He is named "Lensois of the match". Thanks to an assist from Óscar Cortés, the Lens midfielder scored his first goal with the club against Nantes FC (4-0 win) on October 28. On Saturday, he was resplendent (a very good ratio of 75.7% successful passes) against Clermont (3-0) for the match counting for the 13th day of Ligue 1. The native of Nancy is impressing, which does not surprise his father Younès El Aynaoui, former tennis champion (14th in the world in 2002). "He went through all the stages like on a red carpet: CREPS in Nancy, training center, first professional contract," before landing at RC Lens in June, he confides to La Voix du Nord, amazed by his son’s talent.

Albert Cartier, former coach of AS Nancy Lorraine, recognizes the talents of the 22-year-old player. "He had stayed with us to help the club climb back up. He is someone loyal," he points out. "Neil is a