Premier League Outcasts: Sanches shining with top-four chasing Lille

The lasting memory of Renato Sanches and his spell in England was his pass to an advertising board he mistook for a Swansea teammate in their 1-0 loss at Chelsea. The Portuguese youngster joined the Swans from Bayern Munich on loan in a move that caught the imagination of football fans as they were excited to see how the youngest ever European Championship winner, and winner of the Golden Boy award, would fare in England. 

Sanches earned a WhoScored rating of just 6.47 during his time in South Wales before returning to Bayern Munich for the 2018/19 season, where the midfielder was handed a chance to impress by newly-appointed Niko Kovac, who said: "I'll try to make him feel good here. When someone feels good, it's much easier to perform well. He has skills that you don't see every day in the Bundesliga; that's why FC Bayern signed him." He went on to make just four league starts that campaign. 

Fast forward to last summer and Bayern allowed Sanches to leave for French side Lille for a rumoured €25m as the Bundesliga side cut their losses on a player who looked to be failing to live up to his huge potential. While still only 22, it felt as though Sanches would struggle to make the grade in a top European league, yet Lille were willing to take a chance on the Portugal international, making him the club's record signing in the process. 

The faith shown in him by head coach Christophe Galtier has been repaid, and then some, by Sanches, whose WhoScored rating of 7.13 is bettered only by top scorer Victor Osimhen (7.14). The Nigerian's goalscoring exploits having stolen the plaudits in France, but Sanches' fine form for the French side should not go unnoticed. 

As he quickly, but quietly, rebuilds his reputation in France, Sanches has put in a series of fine performances for Lille having won the WhoScored man of the match award in five of his 19 league outings this season. Hamstring issues have restricted Sanches to just 16 league starts, yet his impact for Lille can't be understated. 

Indeed, Les Dogues have won 11 of the 16 matches Sanches has started (68.7%) with that figure dropping to just four of the 12 league games he has not (33.3%). Three goals and one assist may not be a return to shout home about, yet he clearly has a positive influence on the side, be it from out wide or through the middle. 

With an average of three successful dribbles ranking highly of those to have made more than 15 Ligue 1 appearances this season, it's this driving trait that has helped Sanches overcome a challenging stage of his career and re-establish himself as one of Europe's most difficult players to stop. With Galtier favouring a 4-2-3-1 setup, he is able to push Lille forward from the middle when either Benjamin Andre or Boubakary Soumare are unable to feature. 

Alternatively, Sanches' versatility means Galtier can either push the youngster forward and tinker with his system that would allow the former to maximise his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling'. This additional weapon in the Lille manager's arsenal means he has been able to better prepare his side and tailor his tactics accordingly depending on the opponent. 

Facing a side that will sit deep? Drop one of Andre or Soumare and use Sanches to break through the midfield. Up against a team that poses a greater threat down the flanks? Have Sanches provide additional support to the full-backs and utilise a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'defensive contribution'. And having become the butt of many a joke while in the UK, Sanches is showcasing the benefits of leaving a high profile side to work hard out of the glare of the limelight as he continues to shine in this Lille XI. 

His excellent performances in the midfield helped Lille to fourth prior to the suspension of Ligue 1 to help combat the outbreak of coronavirus. It may have seemed impossible in the wake of the departures of the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Rafael Leao and Thiago Mendes last summer, yet the club responded excellently in the market and have enjoyed a fine campaign to date with Sanches vital when he has been fit. 

It was a risk to spend so much on a player whose career had plateaued following a disappointing stint with Bayern Munich and a sub-standard time with Swansea, yet Sanches has turned his fortunes around in France as one Premier League outcast making the most of the belief shown in him by Galtier in northern France.