Salis Abdul Samed, Lens's marathon man
Salis Abdul Samed is putting in a remarkable shift and playing a big part in a fine season for Lens, who sit third in Ligue 1.
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Signed last summer to replace the tireless Malian Cheick Doucouré in Franck Haise's midfield after his move to Crystal Palace, Salis Abdul Samed has settled quickly into the Sang et Or's style of play. The Ghanaian midfielder, who spent three years at Clermont before moving to the north of France, has brought his generosity of effort to the pitch. He is key to a Lens side that lives and breathes collective football.
According to the LFP website, Salis Abdul Samed is, incidentally, the hardest-working player in the French top flight. "Salis Abdul Samed spares no effort. Since the start of the season, he has been the player who runs the most in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, covering 12 km per match. With a player showing that kind of work rate, the Sang et Or have found the ideal replacement for Cheick Doucouré to win back as many balls as possible in midfield," the site writes.
The record for distance covered in a single Ligue 1 match this season, however, belongs to another African international: Zimbabwean Marshall Munetsi. The Reims midfielder, who is enjoying a fine run of form in Champagne, covered 14.08 km against Stade Rennais on 29 December 2022.
Average distance covered by Ligue 1 players
Salis Abdul Samed (Lens): 12 km
Thibault de Smet (Stade Reims): 11.6 km
Birama Touré (AJ Auxerre): 11.4 km