Keeping Reims alive: the one thing Yehvann Diouf has done better than anyone in Ligue 1 | OneFootball

After 12 domestic matchdays, Les Rouges et Blancs sit eighth in the table with 18 points, one fewer than Olympique Lyonnais for sixth and a place in Europe next season. In part, they owe that to Yehvann Diouf (25).

The Reims defence has conceded plenty of quality chances throughout the campaign, but their keeper from Montreuil has often been there to save the day.

Reims have given up 16 goals in the league this season, which could be much higher if not for their heroic shot-stopper. Diouf has prevented 5.6 goals in between the sticks for his side this season, according to Opta.

He’s faced 64 targeted efforts in 2024-25, many of which were quality opportunities by the opposition in prime scoring areas.

On Saturday, in their 1-1 draw with Lyon, he was particularly sharp, making six stops to help his team collect a single point.

Diouf has maintained a high standard of excellence between the sticks since becoming the #1 choice just as the predecessors before him.

Before backstopping Sénégal to the Africa Cup of Nations trophy and Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League crown in 2021, Édouard Mendy was between the sticks at Reims.

His outstanding play helped Les Rouges et Blancs return to the top flight, capturing the Ligue 2 title in 2017-18.

After him, Predrag Rajkovic had many great seasons with the club, helping them earn a place in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League qualifiers, while he started all three matches for Serbia at Euro 2024. Following in those footsteps is not easy, but so far Diouf has shown he’s capable of handling that responsibility. Thanks to Diouf, this team have a fighting chance to feature in Europe next season.

GFFN | Joel Lefevre