Christophe Pélissier explains why Lassine Sinayoko’s rise is no surprise

Former AJ Auxerre manager Christophe Pélissier says Lassine Sinayoko has all the qualities to become an elite striker after the forward’s impressive start to the Ligue 1 season with Paris FC.

The Mali international has scored eight goals in nine league appearances, making him the competition’s leading scorer and further highlighting his development as a forward.

Sinayoko’s performances have attracted attention, but Pélissier insists he is not surprised by the striker’s rise, having worked closely with him during his time at Auxerre.

Speaking to French newspaper Le Parisien, the former coach explained that he had always recognised the forward’s potential and believed he possessed the ability to compete with some of the best attackers in European football.

“There may be some people who are surprised, but not me; he has all the qualities to be a top-level striker. (…) I often told him that I had strikers who now play in the Premier League and that he had nothing to envy them for,” Pélissier said.

The French manager believes Sinayoko’s current form reflects the progress he expected to see from the player rather than an unexpected breakthrough.

However, Pélissier also acknowledged that the forward had areas of his game that needed improvement during their time together at Auxerre.

In particular, he felt Sinayoko needed to develop greater composure in attacking situations and become more clinical when presented with opportunities in front of goal.

Those improvements, according to the coach, have come through consistent development, growing confidence and the benefit of playing in a team that suits his qualities.

The Mali international’s performances at Paris FC suggest he is now making the most of those improvements, with his goalscoring record placing him among the standout players in the French top flight this season.

Sinayoko prepares for special reunion with Auxerre

The striker’s impressive campaign will face an emotional test on Saturday when Paris FC take on AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1.

The fixture will see Sinayoko come up against his former club, where he developed under Pélissier before establishing himself as one of the division’s most productive forwards.

His eight goals in nine league matches have demonstrated the progress he has made, while his former manager’s comments underline the belief that existed in his abilities long before his current run of form.

For Pélissier, the forward’s emergence as one of Ligue 1’s leading goalscorers is a development that reflects the potential he had identified during their time together.

Sinayoko will now look to continue his impressive scoring run when he faces the club where he previously played, with the meeting against Auxerre carrying additional significance for the Paris FC attacker.