Daycare Happenings and an American in France!
By: Inara | January 30th, 2008
It’s not just the big guns that are active this transfer window. Lyon’s collection of assorted youth players will be leaving on loan in search of playing time. Corey will be happy since it’s quite possible he loves these guys more than the senior players.
Anthony Mounier is moving closer to finalizing a six month loan deal with Ligue 2 club Boulogne. Sandy Paillot is about to be loaned to Clermont, another L2 team. It’s unknown yet whether these loans include an option to buy. I was also expecting that Romain Beynie would be sent out on loan, but no news on him just yet.
Edit: This just in. Paillot is actually going to Grenoble. Loic Remy is also being heavily pursued by Caen. FYI, these are loans.
Loic Remy, the most wanted of the bunch, is not only being solicited by several clubs in Ligue 1 (Lorient, Lens, Nice, Lille, and Caen) but also by Newcastle. However, Aulas has made it clear that Remy is part of the club’s future and plans to extend his contract. Remy will only be allowed to leave on loan - and probably without an option to buy. Nice wanted Remy very badly, but they wanted him on a permanent deal, and so they have dropped their pursuit. Now it looks like Lens are the frontrunners for his signature.
These three loans, in addition to the loans of Fabio Santos to Sao Paulo, Milan Baros to Portsmouth, Ederson to Nice, and Marc Crosas from Barcelona, make Lyon quite the lender this January.
Second edit: Thanks to Bruno for this find. Apparently Lyon and Sao Paulo are willing to agree to a year long loan deal for Fred (which means his loan would end December 2008). However, talks are stalled over Fred’s salary, so I’m guessing Lyon won’t pay the entire thing but only part of it.
Okay, and now for the big shocker: Lorient have signed University of California at Berkeley midfielder Andrew Jacobson, who was DC United’s first pick of the MLS Superdraft. I know, I know, Lorient isn’t my team (well, DC United is), but since Lorient don’t have a blog on the Offside, and since both Sam and Corey haven’t noticed this yet, I felt it was my duty to report this.
The Old Continent continues to be invaded.
So just why I am even bringing this up? Because I hate watching my countrymen acting like the only league out there is the EPL. The USMNT can only improve if the players learn a more continental brand of football, and some of the best technical football is found in France.
Jacobson is only here on a six month loan, which he was offered after successful completion of his trials. If he impresses for the next six months, it’s very likely he’ll stay (though of course he said he would like to return to the MLS one day, but let’s face it, no up and coming player turns down Europe for the MLS. Plus Lorient is a good team - they thumped us in the first half the season.
The last American player to play in Ligue 1 was Oguchi Onyewu, who signed for Metz back in 2002. But for whatever reasons, he wasn’t able to adjust, and after three appearances, was sent to Belgium. Last spring, Brian Carroll (a DC United player back then), was on trial for Marseille, but he apparently didn’t make the grade.
I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for Jacobson though. Lyon do keep tabs on American players, and we’ve been interested in several of them in recent years, but so far, none of them have been judged good enough for Lyon. But as an American myself, I can’t deny that I would be glad to see an American at Lyon one day - if he proves that he belongs.
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Tags: Andrew Jacobson, Anthony Mounier, Boulogne, Clermont, DC United, Lens, Loic Remy, Lorient, Lyon, Metz, Nice, Oguchi Onyewu, Player News and Rumors, Sandy Paillot, TransfersSubscribe
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Comments
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fred may be coming to sao paulo, it was reported tonight in brazil. and dude, that fabio santos guy sucks.
Posted from
United States
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Oh great. I didn’t see any of these rumors in the French press, so thanks for spotting it, Bruno. If Fred leaves, Lyon will only have one striker (Benzema) since Baros is at Portsmouth. I can’t imagine the club would let Fred leave at a time like this. Lyon are overloaded in wingers at the moment, not strikers.
Also, Sao Paulo have been after Fabio Santos for a long time. Lyon beat out Cruzeiro for his signature last year, and then Sao Paulo wanted him again last summer, but Lyon didn’t budge. Their persistence paid off though because they got what they wanted: a loan (which I’m guessing has an option to buy).
Fabio Santos is a good player 75%. He owned Barca’s midfield during last November. But when he plays poorly, he’s really poor.
Posted from
United States -
and… Loic Remy is finally loaned to Lens. Good news
Posted from
France -
The last American player to play in Ligue 1 was Oguchi Onyewu, who signed for Metz back in 2002. But for whatever reasons, he wasn’t able to adjust, and after three appearances, was sent to Belgium. Last spring, Brian Carroll (a DC United player back then), was on trial for Marseille, but he apparently didn’t make the grade.
The statement above is untrue, the last American to play in French Ligue 1 is Quentin Westberg last season when the then Troyes No1 goalie, Ronan Le Crom got injured and Westberg (Who was Troyes No2 goalie) took over and played the next two games before getting sick and Troyes (got relegated last season to Ligue 2) was then forced to bring in their third string keeper, see statement below
“Quentin made his first team debut on October 21, 2006 being subbed on for the injured Ronan Le Crom. He conceded twice as ten-man Troyes were beaten by Valenciennes. In his next match Quentin played 90 minutes as Troyes ran out 3-1 winners against AS Saint-Étienne” …..Quote from Wikipedia…the free Encyclopedia
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United States -
If so, I do apologize for overlooking him. Given that he played in only two games, I must have missed him. Still, he didn’t really make an impact in L1, even though it was a relegated team. Sad.
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United States -
Domenech’s list is out. Eight Lyonnais have been selected:
Coupet, Clerc, Squillaci, Toulalan, Ben Arfa, Benzema, Govou, and…Boumsong! Wow, it didn’t take him long to revive his NT career now that he’s at Lyon. He didn’t even have to play a game yet!
Reveillere and Bodmer will be disappointed to miss out, but Bodmer can’t force himself onto the squad when he hasn’t played in position all year while Reveillere isn’t at the level of Sagnol, while Sagna and Clerc are better long term prospects.
Loic Remy has been called up to the U21 team (Les Espoirs).
Posted from
United States -
Anybody know of any last minute transfers involving Lyon ?
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United States -
I don’t think so, Ronan. Remy’s loan to Lens was officialized, as was Paillot’s to Grenoble.
Lens do have an option to buy Remy, but the purchase clause is 10 million euros, and I doubt Lens will pay that.
Posted from
United States -
The Guardian is reporting a rumour that Man U is trying furiously to complete a 20 mil pound deal for Benzema before midnight tonight. I certainly hope this is just a rumour.
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United States -
Thanks Inara, im very pleased to see what has transpired. Remy, Mounier and Paillot will get some playing time, and they will develop. Im happy for them. I wonder if Beynie left yet, at 19 he is still young for his position, but without many options at DM it may be wise to hold on to him.
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United States -
Oh and I did not notice the American in France article because I was all worked up about Jeremy Menze being called up. Thanks for the cover!
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United States -
Beynié is not really a DM anymore.
He’s becoming more and more a RB, as Lyon’s staff asked him.Posted from
France -
I wish he could have been a LB.
Anyway, I remember Beynie played as a RB during the Lyon-Lille friendly back in the summer. He’s pulling a Lassana.
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United States -
Boumsong’s selection is very weird. Ok, we know that Domenech likes players who play for Lyon, but there, it is really favoritism. Boumsong hardly played this season. And I don’t think his goal against Milan is enough to be called up for the NT.
Posted from
Japan -
To be fair, Domenech has always liked Boumsong. He took him to the World Cup, called him a few times last year despite him not playing much with Juventus, etc.
Actually, Domenech explains his reasoning here.
Posted from
United States -
Yes. But I would say that for french players, signing for Lyon is like signing for the NT.
The only French player I can think of in Lyon who hasn’t been called up for NT is Bodmer.
can you see any other French players playing for Lyon that haven’t been called for France?Posted from
Japan -
Does anyone know what’s the number of most players called up to the NT from Lyon at one time?
Posted from
Costa Rica -
Hmm, I think it was a year or so ago, with Abidal, Squillaci, Clerc, Coupet, Diarra, Toulalan, Govou, Malouda and Wiltord. If only Rev had gotten the call or Ben Arfa and Benzema had made the break through yet. 9 isnt bad though, I can forsee us breaking that number in the next two or three years, such is the youth talent we possess right now.
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United States -
Actually, it was I think during the Greece friendly…the number of OL players went to 10 when Domenech called up Squillaci at the last minute.
Coupet, Clerc, Squillaci, Abidal, Toulalan, Diarra, Govou, Malouda, Wiltord, Benzema
I guess Domenech figured, why start something new when Lyon already does it for yoy?
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United States -
I agree in that there is a definite partiality for OL players, but the reasons are valid. Granted, Domenech is Lyonnais and might look upon his old club fondly, but he wouldn’t do so at the expense of the NT. It’s more that the best French players in L1 are already at Lyon (well, most of them at any rate). No other club, not even Arsenal, can boast such an array of French talent. And unlike his predecessors, Domenech has always favored a balance between domestic players and those who ply their trade abroad. Which is a good thing, IMO.
With Lyon constantly in the CL and having a strong manpower, the players on the team are always facing a high degree of competition, not just against Europe’s best teams but also within their own squad. Benzema and Ben Arfa becoming starters at a club like Lyon is a very big deal, more so than if they had been at any other French club. So a coach can more easily convince himself to select Clerc over Chalme in L1 simply due to the fact that Clerc is more exposed to a higher level of playing.
The other reason he likes to take so many from Lyon is because if you think about it, the NT meets only a handful of times each year, so it’s hard to develop team chemistry. But when so many of your players are used to playing with each other at the club level, it makes things easier.
On our side of things, Lyon won’t recruit a player who doesn’t have a chance for their NT (unless it’s an emergency case like Anderson). That’s just the way Aulas is. More international caps = more marketability. He takes perverse pride when 70% of the team is absent during international week.
As for Bodmer, his non-selection is a shame, but he hasn’t exactly been allowed to shine this year, and also, Raymond’s vision of the NT doesn’t require much midfield creativity, so he’s just the wrong kind of player at the moment. Nasri is enough for now.
FYI, besides Bodmer and the young kids, there is Vercoutre who didn’t get a senior team call up (I cringe at the thought), but he did play for the U21s I believe.
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United States -
Yes, I ruled Vercoutre out of the equation as he is a second keeper, and it is hard to imagine a secong string keeper being called up for a big NT like France.
Posted from
Japan -
i boggle at the “£20M deal for benzema”… i don’t know what grauniad that may be but even the fiver isn’t loony enough to say anything like that… an offer coming out of the blue under the asking price, for a player who everyone knows is untouchable, on the last day of the mercato when no deal to replace him is possible? shirley you jest.
honorable mention boggle for vercoutre… he’s well liked in the village, but we’ll leave it at that.
about the large number of gones in bleu: this is nothing new at all; france during the OM years saw the same thing, there were italy teams in the early 80’s that were juventus in blue shirts… not to mention red star belgrade, dynamo moscow, etc… the idea is that the familiarity and teamwork they bring makes the difference when stacked up against players of equal or even superior quality who only see each other 4-6 weeks a year.
Posted from
France
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