Mercato – Johann Lepenant (ex-Caen) à l’OL : “Il peut être la belle surprise de la saison 2022-23” selon Cédric Hengbart

As soon as the 2020-21 season resumes, the Savoyard technician invites him to train with the professionals. But first leaves it available to the reserve on weekends. “Each time, he dazzled the meetingstells us the new coach of Blois (N2). It’s not the player who takes the ball and dribbles around. But he is always regular. I remember our discussions with Pascal Dupraz: we knew that the day he was going to start as a pro, he would let everyone agree. The goal was to launch it at the best time.”

“He excels in collective play because he is always available for his partneranalyzes his former coach in Caen. He takes football as a pleasure and a game. There are fewer and fewer players like that. One day, I asked him to play central defender. And his answer struck me: ‘ah great, it’s been a long time since I played there’. Usually, players complain if you don’t play them at their position. Even when he is a substitute, he gives 100% when he returns. He just wants to play football.”

Johann Lepenant still has two areas for improvement: athletic impact and attacking play. In a season and a half of L2, his record in terms of statistics is too meager: zero goals and one assist. Last February, Stéphane Moulin, his coach during the 2021-22 financial year, insisted on this point at a press conference.

Cédric Hengbart, who has “rarely seen such a complete player“, even sees him take new steps.”For me, it was certain that he was going to play in Ligue 1. Afterwards, if he wants to go higher, it will depend on many factors. In Lyon, he will develop the athletic side. He is still young, you have to be patient. But if one day he joins the Blues, I wouldn’t be surprisedFrom now on, Johann Lepenant must confirm the hopes placed in him. On the ground, his favorite place of expression.