Clubs Want Malouda but Fans Don’t
By: Inara | May 29th, 2007
Liverpool have joined the clubs interested in Florent Malouda’s services. However, their offer of 9 million pounds (about 13 million euros) is ridiculously low. He might not be rated highly outside of France, but he’s far too important to Lyon to be sold for pocket change, especially as Franck Ribery’s price is in the 25-30 million range.
I once browsed forums of the other clubs interested in Malouda to see what the fans thought of him. I wasn’t surprised to see everyone rate Ribery higher, but what did surprise me is that many people think Malouda is overrated because he didn’t do well in the World Cup.
*coughTheEntireBrazilianandEnglandNTscough*
Malouda has been the best Lyon and Ligue 1 player this season, but many still think he’s overrated because he plays in a poorer league without “real” competition. But everyone forgets how great he is with one of the best national teams in the world and how wonderful he was in CL. Talentwise, Ribery is better, and he’s also younger, but Malouda has been wayyy better than Ribery this season. He is more consistent, less raw, and more experienced.
He doesn’t do many stepovers or tricks when he has the ball, so he’s often deemed not good enough (maybe even boring…*gasp*). So forget his goals, forget his assists, forget all his experience, forget player of the year awards, its stepovers and skills rather than being effective which seem to matter to the fans.
So if all Liverpool can offer is a paltry 9 million, then they should go buy the far superior Ribery while the overrated Malouda can stay at Lyon.
Interestingly, Malouda has indicated that he himself will move only if the conditions are right for him and Lyon. Talk about the anti-Essien!
“If nothing happens from now that means the clubs who have approached me are not convinced,” Malouda was quoted as saying in the Mirror. “If that’s the case, there is no point in leaving - I don’t want to go wherever. If I leave it will be under the best circumstances for me and for Lyon.”
He has stressed this before repeatedly - he wants Lyon to benefit from his transfer as well, as he wants Lyon to make as much money as possible from his sale, while also going somewhere he likes. But he knows everything is great for him at Lyon, so he won’t leave this summer if everything doesn’t work out.
::hearts Flo::
Other transfer tidbits:
* It looks like Alain Perrin may be the next Lyon manager. Everyone thought it was Didier Deschamps, but it looks like the problem lies with DD’s staff. Deschamps want to bring in his old staff from Juventus whereas Lyon’s policy is keeping the same staff despite manager changes to keep continuity. However, Lyon and Sochaux are battling it out over Perrin’s contract. Sochaux want compensation for Perrin’s remaining year while Lyon don’t want to pay the fee.
* Both Cris and Alou Diarra could be on their way to Juventus. Diarra is more likely to leave as Cris is untransferable.
* Talented Nice midfielder Ederson has caught the all-seeing eyes of Aulas and Lacombe. A potential Juninho replacement, and he’s Brazilian as well!
* Juventus will let David Trezeguet leave for 15 million euros, which will certainly interest Lyon.
* Claudio Cacapa isn’t the only Lyon defender getting offers. Switzerland’s Patrick Muller may also leave in order to secure more playing time before Euro 2008.
* Gregory Coupet still hasn’t decided on whether he wants to stay at Lyon or go somewhere new.
* Lille’s Jean II Makoun might have signed a new contract, but Abdul Kader Keita and Mathieu Bodmer have not. Lyon are interested in the pair and may decide to go for them despite Keita’s 22 million euro fee. Bodmer is (strangely) more affordable at 8 million.
Sorry Chris, I know you wanted Bodmer at Roma, but it looks like Lyon are the frontrunners for his services. You better call Spalletti and let him know what a mistake he’s making in letting Bodmer slip through his fingers.
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Tags: Abdul Kader Keita, Alain Perrin, Alou Diarra, Claudio Cacapa, David Trezeguet, Didier Deschamps, Ederson, Florent Malouda, Gregory Coupet, Jean-Michel Aulas, Juventus, Liverpool, Lyon, Mathieu Bodmer, Patrick Muller, People, Player News and Rumors, Sochaux, Team News and Rumors, TransfersSubscribe
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Comments
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I swear I responded to your comment before I read this. No joke.
I have to say I’d be much more comfortable if Lyon got Bodmer than an Arsenal or ManU type team. I find it hard to believe he’ll stay in France his whole career and we could pluck him from Lyon in a couple years, worst-case scenario.
However, Il Romanista has said Roma have pretty much signed a defender and a CM. The defender is almost definitely Juan of Leverkusen. Bodmer is the only true CM they’ve been linked with……
Juventus was after Ederson earlier this winter, he was eliciting strong comparisons to Ronaldinho. That would be a nice pick-up for Lyon.
Posted from
United States
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I’m pretty sure Cris will niot leave… I HOPE !!! Because he is one of the best at his place !!!
Posted from
France -
I adore Malouda and disagree 100% that he’s overrated. (And it’s not those cheekbones, either. Or not JUST those cheekbones.)
Posted from
United States -
I said that Perrin would more consensual and then pick up by Aulas. It was the same when they pick up Paul Le Guen, whereas Valid was favorite for the medias.
Here a babelfish translation of an article of Le Progrès (a local newspaper from Lyon)about the departures at the OL:
The column departure could be provided
Even if it is necessary to await the appointment of the new trainer to know some more about the profile of manpower 2007-2008, it would seem that several players will change airManpower 2006-2007 has just posed for with its sixth title out of pocket. This manpower should know some serious changes.
Here the point on this column departure announced provided enough.Leaving to 100 %
Gerard Houllier who will agree three months of holidays “I am in full form but I nevertheless need to stop me. Two years in Lyon, it is already well. I leave without requesting one euro from the club, it is well like that “.
Patrice Bergues assistant of Gerard Houllier in finished with the Lyons experiment.
Claudio Caçapa which has some contacts abroad and in France (PSG, OM).
Jérémy Berthod which did not play that twelve matches this season is not ensured to play the next season more of it.Leaving to 90 %
Sylvain Wiltord absent at the time of the last four matches. _ it seem have be its time in Lyon where its assessment this season himself be prove very average.
Alou Diarra which was not in the bus for the parade, which remained in margin of the group, eclipsing quickly at the time of the festival. Is not in symbiosis with the philosophy of the club not seeing at his place a desire to play the collective chart.Leaving to 80 %
Rémy Vercoutre which has been the lining of Grégory Coupet for five years, which was already lent a year, and which would not be against the idea to change statute, and to play elsewhere.
Eric Abidal who does not hide his desire to go to see higher, since Barcelona makes him the soft eyes. It already established a very serious contact with Barça. Remain now so that Barcelona and the OL falls from agreement. And there, it is other thing.Great interrogations
Florent Malouda who declared yesterday morning: “I am solicited and my president will be it”. It would seem that Chelsea which knows the address of the OL well now is ready to take down the telephone.
Fabio Santos which played only six matches. It is a defensive medium, but Jérémy Toulalan is already there. It has a three year old contract but does not have any insurance to be titular. If it starts by the training course of Tignes and prolongs by Korea, it will however have chances to be integrated, because it has qualities obviously.
Fred whose talents of striker are certain. He did not progress since last season. There is debate around him. Is he really the large centre-forward of tomorrow for Lyon?
Joel Beat, Bruno Genesio, Remi Garde, and Robert Duverne dependent on the name of the new trainer. Certain trainers come with their men and in this case, the Lyons identity, marks of factory of the policy of the club, would thus be called into question. The four men referred to above await the verdict.Small interrogations
Milan Baros arrived at the mercato of winter under the protection of Gerard Houllier. The trainer who made it come having left, Milan Baros will still have T-it credit in Lyon?
Grégory Coupet which raised the question about the confidence which was granted to him. He met his leaders Friday, and a prolongation of contract would be in hand. Once the departures regulated or not, the options on the potential newcomers will then be raised.
C LanierPosted from
United States -
If Lyon buy Kader Keita 22 millions euros (!!!!), I guess Malouda cannot leave inder 25 millions !!! even 30 millions !
Posted from
France -
Apparently Juve had made an offer for Cris by throwing in a player, but Aulas refused (I’m guessing Camo, who has long been a Lyon target). Cris loves Lyon and doesn’t want to leave. He does, however, want to play on the right side of defense (he was shifted in order to accomodate Squillaci - this was the source of his disagreement with Houllier).
Despite sources saying that the Malouda to Liverpool deal is almost done. I don’t believe it. No way Aulas will sell off Malouda for 13 million euros. And Malouda won’t go unless a club really wants him. He won’t go to be anybody’s back up.
Mat: thanks for posting that. I didn’t see that actually, though normally I check Le Progres. I agree with most of the evaluations.
I do wonder about Berthod though. He said he wanted to play more but I haven’t read much information on where he could move to.
I like Berthod a lot and think he has a lot of talent. He should have played more but Houllier preferred Abidal exclusively.
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United States -
Cris will NEVER leave, just look at him, he climbed the bareers last saturday after the match against Nantes to be with the Bad Gones, and he had done this last year too. I think he has found in Lyon what he was looking for and after being widely disappointed with his (short) move to Leverkusen. To me, Cris and Cacapa has a lot in common. Lyon’s in their blood.
I don’t know either about Berthod, he might have his chance, anyway, since Abidal won’t be here any longer, Perrin will probably wants 2 players which might be Belhadj AND Berthod. And if he leaves, who will be the second left wing-back ?
Inara, your knowledge about Lyon has always been very accurate, but you didn’t need it for this,it’s crystal clear that Malouda won’t leave for less than a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge ammount of money !!!!
Posted from
United States -
Berthod is undeniable talent, but his growth has been stunted under Houiller, like Benz, Ben Arfa, etc. although Remy was on the bench the lat two or three games Ged did not help the youth progress much unfortunately. I believe what Perrin says to the playersw will help them decide on their future. Perrin might realize the group is good, keep as many as possble, so Berthod should be a good bet next season, and although i forsee Belhadj starting the super cup, Berthod mightplay more often next year.
As for Malouda, Benitez is a fickle manager, he drops people all the time, Malouda may not feel as wanted in Liverpool as he does in Lyon. 13 million pounds/euros is not enough, and Malouda has the interest of Lyon in mind if he will leave, he realizes there needs to be a high fee and it has to happen quickly because a replacement for him (technically Ben Arfa) will need to arrive since there is no one in the (quarry as they say in madrid) youth system capable of stepping up to a squad role.
Posted from
United States
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