Lille have emerged as one of the most exciting teams in Ligue 1 this season. Not only have
they secured second place behind the indomitable PSG and guaranteed Champions League football
for next season, but they have done so playing a fun brand of football built around creative
young players. Jonathan Bamba, Rafael Leao and Jonathan Ikone have all impressed, though
the star of the show has unquestionably been Nicolas Pepe.
The 23-year-old has been directly involved in half of his team’s league goals this
term, scoring 20 and assisting 11. Along the way he has attracted interest from some of
Europe’s top clubs, including Arsenal. His development has been quick; just two years
ago he was a squad player for Angers, but – having shone within head coach Christophe
Galtier’s effective tactical system – he now looks set for a career at the very highest
level. Galtier lines his Lille side up in a 4-2-3-1
shape with a fluidity that leaves plenty of room for individualism. In front of a centre-back
pairing featuring the experienced Jose Fonte, two central midfielders – usually Thiago
Mendes and Xeka – provide a stable platform for attacks. Both full-backs, Mehmet Zeki
Celik and Youssouf Kone provide width down their respective flanks, allowing Pepe and
fellow nominal wide man Bamba to join Ikone in the central and inside channels. Meanwhile,
Leao or Loic Remy lead the line, looking to make runs into depth behind opposition defences.
This system is built around the technical quality, imagination and intelligence of the
attacking midfield trident. As Lille’s full-backs stay wide and look to stretch opposition defensive
blocks apart, Pepe, Ikone and Bamba take up positions that enable them to receive forward
passes between the lines. From here they can combine with one another, the full-backs or
the striker, though they each possess the ability to receive, turn and dribble at defenders
themselves. Their importance is also seen in attacking
transition, which is perhaps Lille’s favourite phase. In these moments of the game the pace
and skill of the attacking midfielders can be utilised to exploit the space available,
not to mention the defensive disorganisation of the opposition. From a reasonably passive
4-4-2 mid-block, all three make runs and look to play forward and penetrate immediately
once the ball has been regained. It’s no coincidence that Lille are among France’s
best for converting counter-attacks into goals – only PSG have scored more from such situations
this season. Pepe is instrumental to Galtier’s system.
On paper, he is Lille’s right winger. However, in reality, he is given license to roam and
affect the game in a wonderful variety of ways.
In terms of positioning, he primarily drifts between the right flank and the inside channel,
offering a penetrative passing option or coming wider and combining with the overlapping Zeki
Celik. Alternately, he may drop deeper to receive directly from the centre-backs, switching
with Zeki Celik. From this deeper position he can get on the ball outside of pressure
and instigate attacks without such intense scrutiny from opposition defenders.
Once moves enter the final third, Pepe is highly influential in the way Lille play.
This is shown statistically as 42% of the team’s attacks come down the right side.
Pepe can form triangles and rotate with Ikone and Zeki Celik, drive inside onto his left
foot and cross into the box or switch to the far side, exploiting the forward runs of the
striker and left winger to find the left-back. Another option, should the striker drop deep,
is for the Ivorian to target any open space created to get in behind the opponent’s
back line. In short, Pepe plays a dual role. He is both
creator and finisher, providing and getting on the end of final balls with a potent mix
of ruthlessness, timing and composure. His role is fairly unique and requires an
array of individual skills to perform well. A blend of control, persistence and strength
is necessary to ward off assertive markers when receiving between the lines. An assortment
of tricks – including step-overs and wicked feints – help to bamboozle defenders in
1v1 situations and progress attacks. A dash of humility enables combination play with
teammates – no matter his skill level, going it alone isn’t always the best option. And,
with seven of his 20 league goals this season coming in attacking transition, Pepe’s pace
and astute decision-making consistently make fast breakaways count.
But perhaps the most noticeable aspect of his style is his ability to vary the tempo.
Pepe likes to draw defenders close by standing still with the ball at feet, waiting to the
very last moment and committing his man before going beyond. This willingness to wait and
provoke is highlighted by the fact he is the second-most fouled player in Ligue 1. Those
that foul are the lucky ones – they who manage to at least react to, if not foresee,
the quick progression from walk to sprint that makes Pepe such a devilishly unpredictable
offensive outlet. Considering all of this, it’s easy to see
why Arsenal are interested. However, a move to the Emirates Stadium would not be plain
sailing for the 23-year-old. Tactically, he would need to adapt to playing
against lower defensive blocks more often, with fewer counter-attacking opportunities,
as Arsenal tend to dominate the ball more in the Premier League than Lille do in Ligue
1. And then there is a problem out-with the player’s control – that of unrealistic
expectations. Along with a big-money move to England would come the belief that he could
replicate or improve upon his 20-goal haul this season, yet it’s worth noting eight
of those strikes came from the penalty spot. Fortunately, Pepe seems extremely keen to
continue his development. Following a cup defeat to Rennes, Galtier highlighted the
player’s desire to review the game in full afterwards. Considering this personality trait
and his aforementioned technical and physical qualities, it’s likely that Pepe would fit
in at Arsenal. He’d suit Unai Emery’s preferred systems:
the 4-2-3-1 as a right winger, or the 3-4-2-1 as an inside forward alongside Mesut Ozil.
Not only could he be a more impactful upgrade on Emery’s current attacking midfield options,
but he’d add to the team’s counter-attacking threat – alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,
he could tear apart isolated defenders on the counter in a way not seen since the early
2000s, when Thierry Henry led Arsenal’s frontline.
If and when the time comes, it will be a great shame to see Pepe separated from Lille. But,
as long as his next team give him similar creative license to that bestowed upon him
by Galtier, the fun should continue.