Now in his second season at Lille, Yusuf Yazici is finally showing the immense talent that prompted the northerners to spend 17 million euros to sign him from Trabzonspor.
The graceful Turkish international was too hot for Lorient to handle in Round 11, scoring two goals and setting up another in the 4-0 triumph.
Lille defender Jérémy Pied told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN Sports: "We’re really pleased for him. It’s not the first time he’s turned in a big performance. He was really sharp today, always wanting the ball, and that’s a plus for us."
Galtier: "Yusuf is on a good run"
Coach Christophe Galtier added: "Yusuf is on a good run. The way we play suits him, and he’s finding his place now in an area where we have a lot of competition."
If Yazici’s coach and teammates are especially pleased for the playmaker, it’s because they know how much he has been through. The 23-year-old sustained a terrible knee injury last season that sidelined him for six months and led many to question whether he would make it at Lille.
Galtier: "A real edge in attack"
The visionary attacker has answered his doubters emphatically, contributing nine goals already this term, including six in the Europa League. Galtier said: "I’m happy for him because he works hard for the team. He links up well with his teammates. He’s very good in front of goal. He can play as a second striker, or as a When you have someone like this it gives you a real edge in attack."
Galtier has an embarrassment of riches in attack, with Burak Yilmaz, Jonathan David and Jonathan Ikone all vying for places through the middle, but with Yazici in such fine form, it’ll be hard for the coach to leave him out against Monaco this weekend.