Belgian striker Loïs Openda has seen his emphatic return to scoring form rewarded, with the Lens man being named Ligue 1’s player of the month for March. The 23-year-old found the net no less than six times over the course of last month, including a record-breaking five-minute hat-trick in the away win against Clermont.
The Belgian international, who also registered an assist in that time, picks up the award for the first time and succeeds Kylian Mbappé’s, February’s winner. Also in the running were fellow strikers Elye Wahi, of Montpellier, and Folarin Balogun, at Reims on loan from Arsenal. The title is awarded by combination of public votes and those from their peers.
Openda’s performances in the north of France, with Lens on the cusp of European action next season, have attracted interest from a host of clubs around the continent. These include Leeds, Inter Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt – although reports indicate that the forward himself has no intention of pushing for a move, and would like to play in the Champions League with Lens next season.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
