Lopes sets sights on Lille silverware

Lopes is back on loan at Lille from Monaco – his third spell with the club having spent the second half of last season in northern France following a previous stint in 2014-15 - and the 20-year-old is dreaming big both at club and international level.

Published : Aug 25, 2016 14:45 IST

Midfielder Rony Lopes is back on loan at Lille from Monaco.
Midfielder Rony Lopes is back on loan at Lille from Monaco.
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Midfielder Rony Lopes is back on loan at Lille from Monaco.

Rony Lopes believes Lille is capable of claiming silverware this season as the former Manchester City youngster also sets his sights on breaking into the Portugal set-up.

Lopes is back on loan at Lille from Monaco – his third spell with the club having spent the second half of last season in northern France following a previous stint in 2014-15 - and the 20-year-old is dreaming big both at club and international level.

The attacking midfielder scored two goals in 12 Ligue 1 appearances as Lille finished fifth last term, securing a spot in the Europa League in the process, though they were eliminated by Qabala in qualifying this month, while Frederic Antonetti's men reached the Coupe de la Ligue final.

Lopes already has two goals to his name in 2016-17, following his double in the season-opening 3-2 loss at Metz, and he wants to win a trophy in his latest stint at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

"Lille has a solid squad and last year we managed to finish in the top positions and be in the final of Coupe de La Ligue - an important competition," Lopes told Omnisport.

"This year I feel we can battle to win a competition here in France and that's one of my goals. 

"Personally I do want to keep improving my game and become an important member of the squad. Besides that, I will keep on working to be part of the national teams of Portugal."

Asked about whether the aim is to qualify for Europe again, Lopes said: "Definitely, yes. A club with the history of Lille must aim to the top positions of Ligue 1 and do well in the cups. The squad is strong and ready to fight."

While he is still owned by Monaco, Lopes - who continues to be monitored by Leonardo Jardim at the Stade Louis II - insisted he is solely focused on helping Lille.

"My plan is to do a great season for Lille, I owe this to the club and to the fans who have been backing me since my first time here," he said.

"Monaco is the club who owns my rights and my future will always depend on what they intend, but my focus is on the present day. Today I'm in Lille and I'm going to fight for LOSC.

"[Monaco head coach] Leonardo Jardim trusts me and my capacities, but he can't decide 100 per cent everything about the squad. Besides, Monaco at the time had several players for the attack and I need as much game-time as possible at this stage of my career. 

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