For supporters of ESTAC Troyes, these are exciting times…
A yoyo team for much of the past decade, ESTAC won the Ligue 2 title in 2021, and after surviving last season, they’re looking very much at home in Ligue 1 this term, and appear to be here to stay.
Part of the powerful City Football Group, one of Troyes’ strengths is their ability to attract young talents, including the 17-year-old prodigy Wilson Odobert.
The pacy attacker, who moved to Champagne country from Paris Saint-Germain in the close season, is featuring regularly under coach Bruno Irles. His silky skills, direct running and goals have helped Troyes climb to the relative comfort of mid-table.
'Big potential'
“He’s a boy who is discovering senior football with us this season,” coach Irles told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN Sports. He was playing in the Under-19s last season. He has big potential, but he must take one step at a time.”
Irles is being careful with the precocious dribbler, often using Odobert’s talents off the bench. That was the case last weekend when Troyes took on their local rivals Stade de Reims. Just 34 minutes in, however, an injury to Lucien Agoumé prompted the hosts to make an early change. Odobert was immediately in the thick of the action.
“He didn’t start the game, but he was important when he came on,” added Irles. “He’s very humble, he listens, he works hard. He played well at Clermont, then found himself on the bench. When he came on he showed the right attitude.”
Odobert equalised for Troyes six minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a goalkeeping error to notch his third goal of the season. Already a popular figure in the dressing, his first weeks at Troyes have been mightily impressive.
Secret weapon
“He’s a good kid with a big future ahead of him. We’re trying to help him as much as we can, and I think he could have a great career,” said teammate Renaud Ripart.
World Cup-winning centre-back Adil Rami added: “He’s very lively, he has energy and gives everyone around him energy. He presses very well too, and that’s important to say, because not everyone closes down like that. He has a big future and we’ll take good care of him.”
Jackson Porozo’s late goal clinched Troyes a share of the spoils against Reims and Odobert enjoyed the celebrations as much as anyone. The teenager’s goals have contributed to two wins and a draw now, and Irles knows it’ll get harder and harder to keep the club’s secret weapon out of the limelight.
“If he’s getting minutes, it’s because he deserves it. He has a great season ahead of him, it’ll be up to me to manage him well,” he said.
