Lille Coach: "We Need a Player to Replace Ighmane, Who Could Score 10-15 Goals per Season"

Bruno Genesio, head coach of French club Lille, has confirmed that the team has already begun considering the search for a new striker to compensate for the absence of Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane. Igamane suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which will sideline him until the end of the season, and potentially for a longer period. Genesio stated in remarks to the media: “Searching for another striker? This is a thought we have already started with the president and the recruitment committee, especially since Hamza was a very important player for us. Today, we have lost him until the end of the season, and perhaps a little longer, because the injury is an ACL tear. Therefore, it is natural for us to be thinking about this matter.”

The French coach indicated that what is required is a genuine replacement capable of compensating for Igamane in terms of both quantity and quality. He affirmed: “If there are signings during the winter transfer window, they must genuinely strengthen the team. It shouldn't just be about saying we signed a player and everyone is happy. The goal is not to create media buzz. What we need is real reinforcement, a player capable of compensating for Hamza's absence, who was capable of scoring between 10 and 15 goals per season.”

Genesio added: “If we want the team to continue performing at a good level, we must be able to bring in a player who has the potential to do so. Otherwise, there is no point in signing a player just for the sake of catchy headlines.”