Brice Samba – From Nottingham Forest Hero to Ligue 1 Leader
Nottingham Forest Folklore
It has been six months since Brice Samba wrote himself into Nottingham Forest history.
The Congolese goalkeeper saved three penalties as Forest reached the Sky Bet Championship play-off final last May.
This came after an astonishing point-blank save from six yards in the final minute of extra time to deny opponents Sheffield United the win and to take the game to spot kicks.
The 28-year-old further cemented his legacy by keeping a clean sheet in the play-off final to help send Nottingham Forest back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
However, the feel-good moment would be the end of Samba’s story with the club, having informed them in June that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract.
An alluring move back to home was cited as the reason for the former France u19 international wanting to leave.
This saw the keeper join RC Lens in Ligue 1 at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Forest replaced Samba with Dean Henderson, joining on loan from Manchester United.
New Beginnings with RC Lens.
The move back to France is looking to be the correct decision for Samba, as he is currently taking Ligue 1 by storm.
With his side sitting second in the table behind powerhouses PSG, the keeper has kept seven clean sheets in his first 14 matches, and has conceded only nine goals in the process.
Lens even briefly topped the table in October after a 1-0 win at home to Troyes.
Speaking after the result Samba told the media: “It’s always good to be at the top of the table, even if it’s for 24 hours. It’s gratifying and it rewards the work since the start of the season.”
Les Sang et Or’s fast start to the season has seen talk of potential European qualification arise, talks which their coach has played down.
After Saturday’s 2-1 win at Angers SCO, coach Frank Haise said: “Obviously when you have 33 points at this stage of the season you can start to say that a European place is accessible.”
“But the squad is really focused on our performances each weekend. We are not getting carried away.”
Lens made it four consecutive top-flight wins following their victory at Angers and they have lost just one of their last 22 Ligue 1 games.
They currently sit five points behind leaders PSG, and are five points clear of third place Rennes.
https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/NEWS/2022/11/06/high-flying-lens-play-down-talk-of-europe-haise
The Future?
Samba’s key performances in goal for Lens have led to him being linked with a move back to the Premier League, with another East Midlands club Leicester City rumoured to be circling for his signature.
The keeper hasn’t commented on the rumours. Having signed a five-year deal at Lens in August, it would suggest Samba is happy to be back in his native France.
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