CJ Egan-Riley: The Pleasant Surprise in the Olympian Defense?

Who among us had really checked off the name CJ Egan-Riley before his arrival at OM? And yet, just after arriving from Burnley, this young 22-year-old English defender is already emerging as a true revelation at the start of the season, to the point where we wonder if De Zerbi has sniffed out a good deal. So, a mere flash in the pan or a real find for our defense? Let's take stock together.

An olympian calmness that hits the mark

What stands out from his first minutes in the Marseille jersey is his calmness with the ball. Played in central defense against Valencia, Egan-Riley didn't flinch under the Spanish pressure (1-1, for those who missed it). Clean passing, anticipation, simple play: he does the job without fuss and with rare maturity for his age. Honestly, who wasn't reassured to see him so at ease? Let us know in the comments!

A promising duo with Balerdi

It's not Leonardo Balerdi, his partner in the central axis, who will say otherwise. He hasn't been short of praise for the newcomer's calmness and adaptability. There's already a real complementarity: Balerdi brings the aggression, and Egan-Riley provides the control. With De Zerbi's love for rotating and varying defensive setups, it's rather reassuring to have a player so versatile and intelligent in reading the game. We're starting to dream of a solid defense, right?

Encouraging beginnings, but caution...

OK, not everything is perfect yet, and we shouldn't get carried away too quickly. We know that preparation and friendlies are one thing, but Ligue 1 and Europe are another. The real question: will Egan-Riley hold up when the level steps up a notch? His discreet profile, his calmness, it's exactly what we were lacking… provided he proves himself against tougher competition. Shall we discuss it again in a few weeks?

A clever move in the market?

Frankly, given the current market prices and the struggle to find reliable young defenders, this bet on Egan-Riley might just pay off big. He's not (too) expensive, he's hungry for playing time, and he fits perfectly with De Zerbi's project. But beware of the risk: if adaptation falters, we may have to make do in the back. For now, we won't deny our pleasure… but we'll keep a watchful eye!

And you, convinced or cautious?

So, supporters, what do you think of this start for CJ Egan-Riley? Ready to establish himself permanently or just a preseason flash? We're waiting for your opinions, your bar debates, and your home statistics. As always, we're here to share and follow every minute of our OM's life together. Go OM!