Best of the half-season: Transfer
As we prepare for the return of Ligue 1 McDonald's this weekend, our team of writers have selected some of their favorites of the season's first half, starting with goals. Hear from Eric, George & Luke as they talk about their best moments before the season resumes, continuing with our picks for the best summer transfer.
Eric: Odsonne Edouard, RC Lens
Truth be told, Edouard is one of as many of five players from Le Sang et Or to be in the running for this award, alongside the likes of Florian Thauvin, Matthieu Udol, Robin Risser and Mamadou Sangaré. While my colleagues have both plumped for the French international, I've opted for Edouard, who has been the sort of focal point Lens have missed since the departure of Loïs Openda. While much more of a target man than the diminutive Belgian, he's underscored his importance as an ideal outlet for the team's wing play while also offering a contrast to the more pacy Wesley Saïd. With seven goals already, he's had his best season since leaving Scotland, and his unrelenting play has been key in Lens' place atop the table.
🔥 Lens’ joint top scorer (6)
🔥 8 G/A in 13 matches
🔥 6 goals in his last 10 matches
What a signing: ODSONNE ÉDOUARD 💯 pic.twitter.com/QbVjBkxu58— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 14, 2025
George: Florian Thuavin, RC Lens
The former Olympique de Marseille man has been rolling back the years in a Sang & Or shirt this season and has been the creative attacking force behind Lens' charge at the top of the table so far this season. It's hard to look past the 2018 World Cup winner, who has already scored five goals in 16 appearances for Lens - fully justifying his recent call-up to the France national side.
Luke: Florian Thauvin, RC Lens
It is hard to look past the work done by Jean-Louis Leca at RC Lens last summer. It’s all hits, no misses. There are a few of Lens’ summer signings who are in contention here. There is a shout for Odsonne Édouard, excellent after a middling spell in England. Mamadou Sangaré has also been exceptional and Robin Risser represents incredible value for money in goal, given his quality and his age profile. Florian Thauvin, however, is the pick of the lot. He is the creator-in-chief of this side and without him, I don’t think Lens are top of the table, it’s as simple as that.
Read more:
Best of the half-season: Young Player
