Sanches was one of the hottest prospects in 2016 after starring alongside - and perhaps even outshining - Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal won UEFA Euro 2016. Big things were expected when he moved from Benfica to Bayern, but it is only now that the 23-year-old is beginning to live up to his previous billing.

Sanches scored his first Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal in Lille's 3-0 win at RC Strasbourg Alsace last month, but his contribution extends well beyond that, with his LOSC-high three dribbles completed per match just one of the stats he's been at the top end of league-wide.

"Honestly, I feel better than I did a few years ago when I signed for Bayern," Sanches explained of his side's potential European six-pointer against Olympique Lyonnais. "The more I play the more I have confidence in myself. This is really what's changed since then.

Watch: Sanches's best performance yet for Lille?

"It's true that it surprised a lot of people when I arrived here, but if I made this choice it was to play. And that's what's happening now so I'm very happy with it. Afterwards, in the team we really have a lot of young talents, and that too confirms my initial choice."

Lille could draw level with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table if they beat Lyon on Sunday night, but Sanches is taking nothing for granted, even if his side do prevail in the Olympico.

"There's a lot of quality in our team, but we have to show it in every game, not just against Lyon! It's a way forward. We will do the accounts at the end, and we will see if we are first, second or worse, that's when we can really judge ourselves."