Yehvann Diouf, the making of a future great?

Yehvann Diouf is the number 1 goalkeeper in Europe. Yes, the Senegalese is, according to Opta, the keeper who has saved his side the most goals (15). He is also the 2nd-ranked goalkeeper for number of saves in the 5 major leagues (122), behind Mark Flekken of Brentford in the Premier League (130).

However, for those who have followed him for a few seasons now, it is no fluke. Last season, he kept 8 clean sheets, conceding 47 goals in 34 league games. But in the 2022-2023 season, he came to wider attention with 14 games without conceding from 31 appearances in Ligue 1 (31 goals conceded).

Record number of saves in a Ligue 1 match

Indeed, Yehvann Diouf holds the record for the most saves made in a Ligue 1 match since Opta began analysing league data. He made 14 saves against Lens on Friday 11 April to help Reims win 2-0 and give themselves a breath of fresh air in the battle for survival.

“It's nice, but as I said after the game, there are moments where you can see that if certain players weren't there, it makes my job a lot harder behind them. It was truly a game won by all 11. I made 14 saves, but there were quite a few blocked shots, notably by Gbane and Sekine in the first half. There was also Jeng's clearance off the line. I have my stats, but we put in a very complete performance,” Yehvann Diouf said modestly.

Aiming higher at club level, and dislodging Mendy?

If Yehvann Diouf is attracting so much attention, it is because many observers can see him at a bigger club than Reims. After two fine seasons, offers arrived last summer, but he evidently preferred to stay to take on the challenge of a season he expected to be more exciting, with the chance of fighting for a place in Europe. Lens are keen to sign him in the next transfer window. English and Spanish clubs are also in the running.

Meanwhile, with the Senegal national team, Edouard Mendy is certainly still performing, but he needs to be careful. He will soon turn 33. Behind him, Yehvann Diouf will not do him any favours and could pounce on the slightest opening, like a cat (his nickname), to take the number 1 spot from him and usher in a new era between the posts for the Lions. After Tony Silva and Edouard Mendy, the next custodian of the Senegal goal may well be Yehvann…

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