Kevin Danso came exceptionally close to being left out of this list when Roma agreed a fee to snatch the centre-back from Lens this summer. It was a transfer that didn't feel surprising. The product of Milton Keynes and Reading Academy had outgrown the diamond in the rough that accompanied his early career.
Danso was now a player who consistently demonstrated a highly coveted skill set. Intelligent, quick and physical, he had become the ideal central defender for the modern era. Fearless enough to advance the ball from the back with ease, but also capable of protecting the backline when forced into the rougher side of the game.
Lens conceded the fourth fewest goals in the league in the 2023/24 season, with Danso playing a key role in the middle of Franck Haise's back three system. Danso only missed four games all season, including during Lens' trips to the Champions League and Europa League.
He also received recognition from his international head coach Ralf Rangnick, who started Danso during Austria's matches against France and Türkiye at EURO 2024. This all added to the feeling that it was only a matter of time before one of Europe's richer clubs arrived with a The offer is big enough to take the central defender from Les Sang et Or.
At the end of August, Roma's offer of €25 million was enough to convince Lens to part ways with their defender. However, the move would fail after Roma doctors examined the defender. During routine tests, they discovered a heart problem that would prevent the player from passing his medical examination.
It was an outcome that dazzled both Lens and Danso. The Ligue 1 team responded strongly: “We wonder what the deeper reasons are for the cancellation of this transfer of a carefully monitored player who has played more than 30 matches on French and international fields.” While Danso wrote: “I am very surprised by the alleged reason for the failed transfer.”
Lens did their due diligence at the start of the season and after the failed transfer, Danso was sidelined until they investigated the matter. Danso was left out of the squad for five games before the defender was declared fit to play for the team. Since then, Danso has been indispensable for his new head coach Will Still, appearing in all the club's matches. However, the question remains how long the defender will stay in France now that the winter transfer period is approaching.
GFFN | Nick Hartland
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