Lille Manager Galtier: Vincent Enyeama’s Return to First Team Hindered by Internal Issues

Lille manager Christophe Galtier has shed light on the reason behind Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s absence from the first team squad. Enyeama, the former captain of the Super Eagles, has been unable to regain his place in the starting lineup since recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury in November.

In an interview with planetelille.com, Galtier revealed that Enyeama’s absence is not due to sporting reasons but rather a disagreement between the player and the club’s hierarchy. This internal issue has prevented the talented goalkeeper from making a comeback to the first team.

Enyeama, however, has been able to showcase his skills with Lille’s B team, playing in two matches since his return to full fitness. On 9 December 2017, he guarded the goal in Lille B’s impressive 3-1 victory over Croix Football IC in the French fourth-tier. He also featured in a match against Viry Chatillon, which ended with a convincing 3-0 win for Lille B on 24 March.

The 35-year-old shot-stopper joined Lille during the 2011/12 season and has since made 143 appearances for the club in Ligue 1. Enyeama’s experience and skill have been highly regarded, making his absence from the first team even more puzzling.

Lille currently finds themselves in a precarious situation, battling relegation in 19th place out of the 20 teams in the Ligue 1 table. With only 29 points from 34 games, the club is in desperate need of stability and strong performances from their players.

The ongoing dispute between Enyeama and the club’s hierarchy adds a further layer of complexity to Lille’s challenges. As the team fights to secure their position in the top flight, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached to allow Enyeama to contribute to the team’s efforts on the pitch.

The absence of Enyeama, a highly respected figure in Nigerian football, has not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike. The goalkeeper’s return to the first team would undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost to Lille’s chances of avoiding relegation.

In the coming weeks, Lille will need to resolve the internal issues that have hindered Enyeama’s return to the first team. The club’s survival in Ligue 1 may very well depend on their ability to reconcile with the experienced goalkeeper and harness his talents once again.