When René Girard took charge at Lille, rebuilding the team might not have been the initial expectation. However, the 2012-2013 LOSC squad underwent significant changes with key departures such as Aurélien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), and Lucas Digne (PSG).
Salomon Kalou, the last remaining player from the successful end of that season, is also rumored to be leaving. Lille’s coach, Girard, expresses concern about this potential departure, emphasizing the need to support the growth of young players. In an interview with RMC, Girard stated, “We have to help the young players grow. For the moment, Salomon Kalou is with us. But his departure could be the haunt of my nights.”
The financial situation of the club may force them to part ways with Kalou, who was the top scorer last season. The mention of a possible agreement with West Ham adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Whether Michel Seydoux, the president of Lille, will reconsider the deal with West Ham remains uncertain, and it will be interesting to see how the club navigates these challenges in the coming days.
