Clément Lenglet
French footballer.
Clément Lenglet is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a centre-back for Atlético Madrid, on loan from Barcelona. Born on June 17, 1995, in Beauvais, France, Lenglet has established himself as a reliable defender known for his composure and ball-playing abilities. He began his senior career with Nancy in 2013, where he quickly became a key player, helping the team win the Ligue 2 title in 2015-16. His performances caught the eye of Sevilla, who signed him in January 2017 for €5.4 million. At Sevilla, Lenglet's stock rose rapidly as he impressed in both La Liga and European competitions.
His excellent form led to a high-profile move to Barcelona in July 2018, with the Catalan giants triggering his €35 million release clause. At Barcelona, Lenglet formed a strong partnership with Gerard Piqué and was a regular starter for several seasons. However, increased competition and a dip in form saw him loaned out to Tottenham for the 2022-23 season and subsequently to Aston Villa for the 2023-24 campaign. His loan spells in the Premier League allowed him to showcase his abilities in a different league and maintain his high-level performances. Currently on loan at Atlético Madrid for the 2024-25 season, Lenglet continues to demonstrate his defensive prowess and adaptability at the highest level of Spanish football.
Early life & youth football
Clément Lenglet's early life and youth career laid the foundation for his successful professional career. Born in Beauvais, Oise, Lenglet began playing football at a young age. He joined his first youth club, AMS Montchevreuil, in 2001 at the age of six. Lenglet's talent was evident from an early age, and he moved to US Chantilly in 2007, where he continued to develop his skills. In 2010, at the age of 15, Lenglet joined the youth academy of AS Nancy, a club known for nurturing young talent. During his time in Nancy's youth setup, Lenglet progressed rapidly through the ranks, showcasing his defensive abilities and leadership qualities.
His performances for Nancy's youth teams caught the attention of the club's senior management, leading to his promotion to the B team in 2012 and eventually to the first team in 2013, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Professional career
Clément Lenglet's professional career began at AS Nancy, where he developed from a promising youth prospect into a first-team regular. Born in Beauvais, France, Lenglet joined Nancy's youth academy in 2010 at the age of 15, after previously playing for local clubs AMS Montchevreuil and US Chantilly.Lenglet progressed rapidly through Nancy's youth ranks, showcasing his defensive abilities and maturity beyond his years. His performances for the youth teams caught the attention of the senior coaching staff, and he was soon promoted to Nancy's B team in 2012.
This quick progression was a testament to Lenglet's talent and potential.The young defender made his professional debut for Nancy's first team on September 27, 2013, at the age of 18. He came on as a substitute in a Ligue 2 match against AC Arles-Avignon, which ended in a goalless draw. This appearance marked the beginning of Lenglet's journey in professional football.
Throughout the 2013-14 season, Lenglet gradually established himself in Nancy's first team. He made 34 appearances across all competitions, impressing with his composure on the ball and tactical understanding. Despite his young age, Lenglet showed leadership qualities that would become a hallmark of his career.The 2014-15 season saw Lenglet become a regular starter for Nancy.
He featured in 34 Ligue 2 matches, helping the team to a 5th place finish. His performances drew attention from larger clubs, but Lenglet remained committed to Nancy's project.The 2015-16 season proved to be a breakthrough for both Lenglet and Nancy. The young defender played a crucial role in Nancy's successful campaign to win the Ligue 2 title and secure promotion to Ligue 1.
Lenglet made 34 appearances in the league, scoring two important goals. His first professional goal came on January 29, 2016, in a 3-1 home win against Clermont. Later in the season, on April 25, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Sochaux, a win that sealed Nancy's promotion to Ligue 1.Lenglet's performances during this title-winning season did not go unnoticed.
He was named in the Ligue 2 Team of the Year, a recognition of his consistent excellence throughout the campaign. His ability to read the game, combined with his technical skills and leadership, made him one of the standout players in the division.The first half of the 2016-17 season saw Lenglet make his Ligue 1 debut with Nancy. He started 18 matches in France's top flight, continuing to impress with his mature performances despite the step up in competition.
His form attracted interest from several top European clubs.In January 2017, after three and a half seasons with Nancy's first team, Lenglet made the move to Spanish side Sevilla for a reported fee of €5.4 million. His departure was a significant loss for Nancy, but it also represented a proud moment for the club that had nurtured his talent.
During his time at Nancy, Lenglet made a total of 85 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals. He played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to Ligue 1 and established himself as one of France's most promising young defenders. Lenglet's time with Sevilla was relatively brief but highly impactful, spanning from January 2017 to July 2018. He joined the Spanish club from AS Nancy for a reported fee of €5.
4 million, marking his first move to a major European league.Lenglet made his debut for Sevilla on January 12, 2017, in a Copa del Rey match against Real Madrid. Despite the high-profile nature of his first game, Lenglet showed remarkable composure and skill, immediately impressing the Sevilla faithful. His La Liga debut came just three days later, again facing Real Madrid, in a match that saw Sevilla end Madrid's 40-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory.
Throughout the remainder of the 2016-17 season, Lenglet quickly established himself as a key player in Sevilla's defense. He made 17 La Liga appearances in that half-season, showcasing his ability to read the game, his composure on the ball, and his aerial prowess. His performances helped Sevilla secure a fourth-place finish in La Liga and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.The 2017-18 season saw Lenglet truly come into his own.
He became an indispensable part of Sevilla's backline, featuring in 35 La Liga matches and playing a crucial role in the club's Champions League campaign. On August 19, 2017, Lenglet scored his first goal for Sevilla in a 1-1 draw against Espanyol, demonstrating his threat from set-pieces.Lenglet's performances in the Champions League were particularly noteworthy. He played a key role in Sevilla's round of 16 victory over Manchester United, helping to keep a clean sheet in the first leg at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
His contributions were vital in Sevilla reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 60 years.Over his 18 months at Sevilla, Lenglet made a total of 73 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals. His consistent performances and rapid development caught the attention of several top European clubs, with Barcelona ultimately securing his services in July 2018 for €35 million, activating his release clause. His debut came in the 2018 Supercopa de España against his former club Sevilla, which Barcelona won 2-1.
This early success set a positive tone for his arrival.However, his La Liga debut on September 23, 2018, against Girona was less auspicious, as he was sent off for an elbow on Pere Pons. Despite this setback, Lenglet quickly established himself as a key player in Barcelona's defense, often partnering Gerard Piqué. He made 45 appearances across all competitions in his first season, scoring two goals.
Lenglet's ability to play out from the back and his composure on the ball made him a good fit for Barcelona's style of play. He helped the team secure the La Liga title, demonstrating his value to the squad.In his second season, Lenglet continued to be a regular starter for Barcelona. He made 35 appearances in La Liga, scoring one goal.
His performances were generally solid, and he formed a strong partnership with Piqué in central defense.One of the highlights of Lenglet's season came in the Champions League. On August 8, 2020, he scored his first Champions League goal for Barcelona, heading in the opener in a 3-1 victory against Napoli in the round of 16 second leg. This goal helped Barcelona progress to the quarter-finals.
However, the season ended on a sour note for Barcelona, with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite this disappointment, Lenglet's individual performances throughout the season were generally praised.Lenglet's third season at Barcelona was more challenging. While he remained a regular in the team, making 48 appearances across all competitions, his form was inconsistent.
There were notable defensive errors that led to goals, which attracted criticism from some fans and media.Despite these challenges, Lenglet still contributed to Barcelona's Copa del Rey victory, their only trophy of the season. He played in the final against Athletic Bilbao, which Barcelona won 4-0.This season also saw Lenglet face increased competition for his place, with Ronald Araújo emerging as a strong contender for the center-back position.
Despite this, manager Ronald Koeman continued to show faith in Lenglet, starting him in many crucial matches.Lenglet's fourth and final season before his loan moves was marked by a significant reduction in his playing time. The arrival of Eric García and the continued development of Araújo saw Lenglet fall down the pecking order.He made only 27 appearances across all competitions, with many of these coming as a substitute.
This was a stark contrast to his previous seasons where he had been a regular starter. Lenglet's reduced role was partly due to Barcelona's defensive struggles, with the team conceding more goals than in previous seasons.Despite his limited playing time, Lenglet remained professional and continued to work hard in training. He made some important contributions when called upon, including a crucial goal in a 3-2 victory against Levante in April 2022.
Throughout his four seasons at Barcelona, Lenglet made a total of 160 appearances, scoring seven goals. He won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de España. His time at the club was characterized by his ability to play out from the back, his composure on the ball, and his aerial prowess.However, as Barcelona faced financial difficulties and looked to rebuild their squad, Lenglet's future at the club became uncertain.
The emergence of younger defenders and the need to reduce the wage bill led to the decision to loan him out for the following seasons. Lenglet joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from Barcelona for the 2022/23 campaign. He made his Premier League debut on August 6, 2022, coming on as a substitute against Southampton. Lenglet quickly adapted to Antonio Conte's system, often playing as the left-sided centre-back in a back three.
Throughout the season, Lenglet made 35 appearances across all competitions for Spurs, including 26 in the Premier League. He scored his first and only goal for the club in a crucial Champions League match against Marseille on November 1, 2022. This goal helped Tottenham secure a 2-1 victory and top spot in their group.Lenglet's performances were generally solid, and he provided a good balance to Tottenham's defense with his left-footed passing ability.
However, the team's overall defensive record was inconsistent, and they finished the season in 8th place, missing out on European qualification.After returning to Barcelona, Lenglet was once again sent out on loan, this time to Aston Villa for the 2023/24 season. His start at Villa was slow, with manager Unai Emery initially preferring other options in defense. Lenglet had to wait until December 22, 2023, to make his Premier League debut for Villa, coming on as a substitute against Sheffield United.
As the season progressed, Lenglet began to feature more regularly, particularly in cup competitions. He made several appearances in the Europa Conference League, helping Villa progress in the tournament. In the Premier League, he made 14 appearances, mostly in the second half of the season.Lenglet's loan spell at Villa was less prominent than his time at Tottenham, with fewer starts and less consistent playing time.
However, he still contributed to Villa's successful season, which saw them compete for European places in the Premier League and progress in cup competitions.Throughout both loan spells, Lenglet demonstrated his ability to adapt to different systems and leagues. His experience and ball-playing skills were assets to both Tottenham and Aston Villa, even if he wasn't always a guaranteed starter. These seasons allowed Lenglet to maintain his high-level performances and visibility in top European leagues, despite not being in Barcelona's plans.
In 24/25 season, he went on his third loan move in three seasons this time to Atletico Madrid.
National team
Lenglet's youth international career with France began in 2013 when he was called up to the Under-18 squad. He quickly progressed through the age groups, representing France at the Under-19 and Under-20 levels. Lenglet was a key player for the French Under-21 team, earning 15 caps between 2015 and 2017. His performances at the youth level showcased his potential as a future senior international.
During the 2016 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign, Lenglet played a crucial role in France's defense, helping the team secure their place in the tournament. Although France was eliminated in the group stage of the final tournament, Lenglet's individual performances were highly regarded. His time with the youth national teams allowed him to gain valuable experience in international football and develop his skills alongside some of France's most promising young talents. Lenglet's leadership qualities were also evident during his youth international career, as he often wore the captain's armband for various age-group teams.Clément Lenglet's senior international career with France began relatively late, considering his club success. He received his first call-up to the senior national team in May 2019, at the age of 23.
Lenglet made his debut for Les Bleus on June 11, 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Andorra, which France won 4-0. His solid performance in his debut match earned him praise from manager Didier Deschamps and secured his place in subsequent squads.Lenglet scored his first international goal on September 10, 2019, in another Euro 2020 qualifier against Andorra. His inclusion in the French squad for the postponed Euro 2020 tournament in 2021 marked a significant milestone in his international career.
However, his tournament experience was mixed, as he was substituted at half-time in France's round of 16 match against Switzerland, which ended in a penalty shootout loss for France.Despite the setback at Euro 2020, Lenglet has remained in contention for the national team, although competition for places in France's talented defensive lineup is fierce. His ability to play out from the back and his left-footed profile make him a valuable option for Deschamps' squad. As of 2024, Lenglet has earned over 15 caps for France, a number that could have been higher if not for the exceptional depth in France's defensive options
Player’s style
Lenglet's style of play is characterized by his composure on the ball and his ability to read the game. As a left-footed centre-back, he offers balance to defensive partnerships and is comfortable playing out from the back. Lenglet possesses excellent passing range, often initiating attacks with precise long balls. Defensively, he relies more on intelligent positioning and anticipation rather than physical dominance.
His aerial ability is strong, both in defensive situations and when attacking set-pieces. Lenglet's tactical awareness allows him to adapt to different defensive systems, whether in a back four or a three-man defense. While not the fastest defender, his game-reading skills often compensate for this. His technical proficiency and calm demeanor under pressure make him an asset in teams that prioritize possession-based football.