Salis Abdul Samed (25), alongside Seko Fofana, was a key player for RC Lens in the 2022/23 season, ensuring the team`s success. Under Franck Haise`s leadership, the club finished second, just one point behind Paris Saint-Germain. However, Abdul Samed has not been able to replicate his previous achievements since then. Following Fofana`s departure in the summer of 2023 and constant squad changes around him, Salis lost the consistency that had made him one of Ligue 1`s most highly-rated midfielders.
Haise`s move to OGC Nice the following summer marked the end of the Ghanaian player`s time with Les Sang et Or. Abdul Samed went on a season-long loan to Sunderland, but his stint there started poorly and never truly improved.
“I got injured even before going to Sunderland. I had a problem with my psoas muscle,” revealed Abdul Samed in an interview. “I spoke with the doctor, and he said recovery would take three or four weeks. I called Régis (Le Bris) and said, `I`m injured, so I don`t think I can sign.` But he replied, `No, let`s have a look.` Sunderland`s doctor came to Paris, we ran tests, and he said the same thing: two or three weeks. I arrived at Sunderland, and in the first or second week, I started training, but in the second session, I sustained an injury in the exact same place.”
He continued: “Then it took five or six months to come back. I returned, started playing a bit again, and then I injured my calf as well, so the season was basically over.” By the end of the campaign, the midfielder had physically recovered, but months of treatment and the fear of further injuries had taken their toll.
A Call for Abdul Samed to `Cut Loose`
“I was playing, but I was trying to avoid injuries and everything, so there were a lot of thoughts in my head,” admitted the former Lens and Clermont Foot midfielder. Before speaking with Abdul Samed, Franck Haise, whom the midfielder calls his “European dad,” talked about the need for the player to “cut loose.”
“I know him very well. I know what he can bring. It`s quite simple: he wanted to gain confidence by playing five-meter passes,” began Haise, who has started the midfielder in two Ligue 1 games this season. He did not come off the bench in last weekend`s 1-0 win over FC Nantes.
“Confidence isn`t built on five-meter passes. Over the past week in training, I`ve seen the Salis I know, the one capable of playing positively, the one I expect. In matches, he wanted to play it safe, but nothing happens when you do that. He recognized that. Errors are not a problem; the main thing is the intention. But I can understand. He`s barely played for a year, and when he arrives, he`s not surrounded by euphoria. The goal is to change his mindset… and once again become the player I knew so well and who was so important,” Haise stated.
Abdul Samed elaborated on his discussion with the Nice manager: “I am progressing little by little. I`ve been speaking with my `dad` (Haise). He told me to cut loose and play like before.”
The Ghanaian international continued: “Since I didn`t play much last year, I was injured almost the entire season. It`s only the beginning, and because it`s only the beginning, I decided to play simply to regain my confidence. That was a personal choice, but Haise said, `Cut loose, do what you do,` and this week I`ve been doing that in training, and it`s been going well, so I`m very happy. This week was my best since coming, even physically, I gave it my all.”
Haise: The Driving Force Behind Abdul Samed`s Move to Nice
Haise, both on and off the pitch, has played a significant role for Abdul Samed, who became visibly emotional when discussing his relationship with the manager.
“He has helped me a lot since I left Clermont Foot to join RC Lens. He`s helped me football-wise, but also on a human level. You could say he`s my European dad. I know him very well. When he says something, I know it`s for my good, so I always listen to him. Haise is a very important person in my life,” says Le Gym`s No. 99.
And so, when Haise contacted Abdul Samed, the latter`s decision to leave Lens, this time on a permanent deal, was made. “I was a bit shocked because last year I barely played. He sent me a message on WhatsApp. I was like, `Is it really Haise?` I replied immediately, without hesitation. We talked, and he spoke about the project. He said I was exactly the player he was looking for,” the Ghanaian player recounted.
For Abdul Samed, the goal for this season is clear: “I just want to play football again and be happy. Nice, and with this manager, is the right place to do what I want to do.”
