The winger is rejuvenated after a difficult spell with injuries. Despite his side’s current position in the Ligue 1 Uber Eats relegation zone, Lopes is enjoying his football again and is confident of helping as they fight to stay in the division.

“When I came here I wanted to play more and feel important for the team, and to show my football, just to be happy on the pitch. I think I’ve been improving and I think I can help the team, that’s why I came here,” Lopes told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN Sports.

The Portuguese playmaker has four goals and five assists in Ligue 1 this season, already his second best total goal contributions. Five seasons ago Lopes hit extraordinary heights at Monaco, when he scored and set up a combined total of 22 goals in the 2017-18 campaign. He’s shown signs of being that player again this year, and is hungry to keep improving.

Toiling

“I’m happy for that, to get the stats and to get the numbers. It also helps for the confidence and it’s what I want to do. For a player like me, an offensive player, it’s very important. It’s good, but I think I can do much better,” said Lopes, who signed on loan from Sevilla at the start of the campaign.

The arrival of Australian head coach Patrick Kisnorbo led to an upturn in results at first, but Troyes have toiled since. Now 10 games without a win, things are difficult as the club scrap for survival. As an experienced head and key player, Lopes thrives under the responsibility and expectation to drag his team out of trouble.

“I feel that the team, the players, they trust me and they always expect a lot from me. They expect me to help the team to win the games. The coaches, they expect me to help the other players also and it’s a good expectation. Also, it makes me grow as a footballer and as a man,” said the 27-year-old.

'Change the mentality'

Former Manchester City youngster Lopes hasn’t been involved in a relegation battle quite like this before. Troyes are second from bottom and have taken just two points from the last 30 available. Times are tough, but the Troyes talisman is of the belief that with the right mentality and application, his side can save their season.

“It happened to me one time when I was in Monaco, but it’s not normal,” he said. “I think the main goal here is to change the mentality. Of course against the smaller clubs, these opponents, we have more chances. We cannot think this opponent is strong or not strong, no, we go on the pitch and we go to win. I think we have some good players and some people to do it, and we just have to believe more because with the quality we have I think we can be in higher places and not only fighting for relegation.”

With 11 games to play, Troyes’ fate is still well and truly in their own hands. Many fans will be pinning their hopes on Lopes as the saviour, and if he continues to play his best football in years, it will certainly give them a real fighting chance.

“It’s a question of believing in myself. I know what I can do, and I did it already, so if I did it one time I can do it again. I will keep believing all the time.”

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