Fill in the Blank…
By: Inara | July 10th, 2007Lyon need to buy ____________.
Assuming that Alou Diarra and Sylvain Wiltord leave this summer and that Remy Riou will be on loan next year, the current Lyon manpower in each position is listed below, in order of most probable preference.
GK: Gregory Coupet, Remy Vercoutre, Joan Hartock.
RB: Anthony Reveillere, Francois Clerc, Romain Beynie.
CB: Cris, Sebastian Squillaci, Patrick Muller, Sandy Paillot.
LB: Fabio Grosso, Nadir Belhadj, Anthony Reveillere.
DM: Jeremy Toulalan, Fabio Santos, Mathieu Bodmer, Romain Beynie.
CM: Mathieu Bodmer, Fabio Santos.
AM: Juninho, Kim Kallstrom.
RW: Kader Keita, Sidney Govou, Loic Remy, Karim Benzema, Francois Clerc.
LW: Hatem Ben Arfa, Nadir Belhadj, Kim Kallstrom, Anthony Mounier, Karim Benzema, Kader Keita.
SS: Hatem Ben Arfa, Mathieu Bodmer, Kim Kallstrom, Juninho
ST: Fred, Karim Benzema, Milan Baros, Kader Keita.
Italics = indicates a youth player being integrated into the senior team.
Strike = indicates a player who can assume this role only when necessary.
One could argue that Lyon don’t need anymore signings, though today Perrin admitted that he would prefer to sign another striker. With Fred out injured, that leaves only Baros and Benzema for the next two months (and don’t forget that Fred is suspended for the first three CL games).
In the LW position, none of the players listed are natural left wingers (except perhaps Mounier, but he’s very inexperienced). Ben Arfa is actually a secondary striker while Kallstrom is a midfielder, Belhadj is a left back, Keita prefers the right, and Benzema is a striker.
At first glance, the midfield seems light, but keep in mind that at Lyon, there is a great deal of interchange between central and attacking mids, so technically, there are four players – Juni, Kallstrom, Bodmer, and Santos – for two spots. However, I would not be adverse to a young future talent. Especially if his name is Renato Augusto.
I haven’t seen much of Paillot, though I have heard good things about him. Hopefully he can step up to be Lyon’s fourth choice CB. If not, perhaps another signing might be in order.
Aulas promised €100m to spend on transfers (though realistically the number is around €45m). Also, Lyon made a profit of €20m so far on transfers. So the club have quite a bit of money to spend. However, I can’t see Lyon buying more than one or two players to keep from overloading their manpower. And since Lyon need backups more than anything, these potential new recruits will probably be young, inexpensive, and with a lot of potential. The only exception would be for the LW spot – I can see Lyon spending a lot of money should they be able to lure a big player.
Assistant manager Remi Garde is in Canada following a few young players from the U-20 World Cup (I’m guessing Renato Augusto and Willian, and a more outlandish suggestion in Freddy Adu). But their transfers depend on Juninho getting his French passport this summer to free up a non-EU space. Another unlikely name linked with Lyon recently is that of Rolando Bianchi. Other more likely possibilities include Bafetimbi Gomis and Frederic Piquionne, both St. Etienne players.
Category: 
Tags: Bafetimbi Gomis, Frederic Piquionne, Lyon, Player News and Rumors, Renato Augusto, Rolando Bianchi, Team News and Rumors, Transfers, WillianSubscribe
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Comments
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I think Nadir can be a very good LW in replacement of Ben Arfa. Doesn’t he play as a LW with the Algerian NT?
Posted from
United States
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You’re absolutely right, Salieri. I have seen many of his match with Sedan, last year. He was a left winger most of the time, and very impressive. He can do it. He just have to learn to play more collective.
With Algerian NT, I haven’t seen his last match, but I’ve heard some football professional observers saying he was absolutely fabulous as a left winger.
I really believe in him. But I don’t think Perrin will try him as a LW… Let’s hope, and let’s see what’s happen in Corea !Posted from
France -
Good stuff Inara, i say add bettiol to the striking options, he should be in the first team. I think that the most likely reinforcement is in the midfield, but it wont come till late august when the market pans out and the brasilero is closer to done. anyways, augusto would be good because this means kallstrom and bodmer would be our central midfielders, they would just have to be as disciplined as tiago or as athletic and never ever get tired of running like essien. another striker is an option but Fred will be back eventually, and Baros and Benzema can do the job for the first month. If one even gets a small injury (baros and his ankles, benzema and his muscle tears) there will be another striker. auluas had our numbers pretty high when houllier first came in, with the likes of pedretti and monsoreau as very expensive bench players. Perrin does rotate more, so he may push for signings. dont expect gomis or bianchi, and willian hasnt started a game yet, edson on the other hand has, although he is more of a DM. either way, we need a non-EU spot, which juninho should vacate soon
Posted from
United States -
I’ve never seen Belhadj play for his national team, but though I have seen him play for Sedan on occasion (the pitfalls of living in the US – I only get to see Sedan games if they are playing Lyon or Marseille, and if Setanta chooses to broadcast them). I think one of the reasons he was signed was because of his versatility, though neither Grosso nor Belhadj are very defensive, so I’m wondering how a Grosso-Belhadj partnership would be. Leaky, I think.
Corey, I’m actually against having another striker unless it’s a prospect like Ante Rukavina. I know most OL fans want that one big signing, but we aren’t going to get it this year. And no point in cluttering up our bench with a player like Saha or Elmander – unless Fred or Baros leaves, which I doubt. Fred just took the #9 shirt while Baros said that he wants to stay.
Oh, I was going to mention how weird I thought it was that Lacombe keeps on saying how he’s interested by Willian, who has been singularly unimpressive recently. But I imagine lyon want to get their money’s worth out of Corinthians, who look unlikely at being able to pay the remaining 8 million owed to us. I’m not sure who else we could get from Corinthians. And Flamengo will ask at least 18 million for Renato Augusto.
Posted from
United States -
Corey, Bettiol just left to Troyes today. Bad timing
Anyways I disagree with Perrin and I think we do not need any more player (except Robinho!). Fred should be back soon and we get far enough troubles between our strikers not playing enough. And I do NOT believe we will switch to a 4-4-2, especially with our enormous midfield. I still want to see a 4-2-3-1!Posted from
United States -
Gomis. He’s starting to be rumoured to Arsenal and Sevilla, so it’s best if he stays in Ligue 1 at least, even if it’s to Lyon. Or you can go ahead and try Fabrice Fiorèse… Kidding.
Posted from
Canada -
David Pizarro. Yes, you need David Pizarro.
Please? (Oh, and Chivu also)
If Lyon was in a league where they couldn’t get away with a relative lack of premier depth, I’d say a veteran LM/LW/LWB with some serious defensive ability. You’re in for some real fun when Grosso starts setting up as a targetman for crosses in the box. First thought? John Arne Riise. Because that right flank could be dangerous on the counter. Plus he’s probably for sale. Could be wrong.
Posted from
United States -
Guys, Jeremy Toulalan has been linked with a move to Napoli. We all know Serie A is better than Ligue 1, but please. That’s going too far.
Chris: I have the suspicious feeling you are trying to convince me that Lyon should take Roma’s trash…I mean Pizarro….Hahaha about Chivu though. The funny thing is that I bet if Lyon could offer him his wanted 4.5m/year salary, he would consider the offer seriously. Too bad that will never ever happen (Lyon would have to shell out something like 10 million per year cause of taxes, and he isn’t worth a third that much).
Agree about a more defensively minded LB though. Neither Grosso nor Belhadj are good in that department. Unfortunately, I don’t think the club wants to be more than two deep in defensive positions, and we already have eight players for four spots. I think if we could take care of the left wing situation (to my sadness and to Allez Lyonnais’s delight, it might end up being Jerome Rothen), Lyon will have the perfect depth, as we really do have quite a good bench. Lyon’s problem has never been a lack of players but a lack of that one magical player (Juninho is no Kaka).
Posted from
United States -
Oh, Chivu doesn’t want 4.5m. He wants 5m. He wanted 4.5m, but then once he had it offered, he wanted another 500,000 more. He wants to be one of the highest paid defenders ever – because he’s obviously that good (I wouldn’t put him in the top 15 CBs even back when I was a fan of his).
I went through my brain trying to figure out a LW/LF with decent defensive ability but I went blank. The two names that did pop up for the left wing were Tranquillo Barnetta and Yuri Zhirkov. Both could add some pizazz and pace, while Zhirkov could provide that odd moment of magic. Unfortunately, I’m not sure Lyon will ever acquire that magical guy a la Kaka. That type of skill is just too easy to spot at a young age as opposed to say defensive mids or wingbacks, and it’s hard for Lyon to compete with those massive clubs. The magic would probably have to come through the youth ranks (Nasri) or a relative “sleeper.” Might I suggest Ramon, from CSKA Mockva? (If Aulas can beat out Berlusconi to him)
Posted from
United States -
Well, maybe Lyon can’t get Kaka, but maybe they could get Renato Augusto or Ederson. Either would be very nice.
And Chivu wants 5m now? Who does he think he is, John Terry at Chelsea? I am so glad he’s leaving Roma. He’s an embarrassment to the club.
Posted from
United States -
Apparently Lacombe isn’t a fan of Rothen. You know what that means.
Posted from
United States -
Im not a fan of rothen either. pizzarro can stay in rome and look on in awe of aquilani chris. i know bettiol left, Jo told me on another thread, it was bad timing on my part. thats too bad, the reserves dont have much of a strike force now, quientin barlet and bruce n’dala. who is Ante Rukavina Inara?
Renato Augusto would be a good edition as would Ederson. but with Fabio Santos we have an unessecary EU spot being used up, i say get rid of him so one of thoe players can come in. Ramon has been fairly poor in Russia chris, although he has a ton of potential, he hasnt shown it in Europe and he wasnt selected for the U-20 world cup, a bit of a shock in brazil. Jo is definately Lyon’s next striker after Fred leaves though, it all lines up for him. Barnetta would be a decent addition, but a more mature, established wingman would be prefered since Ben Arfa is still largely untested. which means the searc for a LW is becoming very narrow and difficult. I dont plan on seeing one, a new striker probably not baring an early season injury, but another midfielder cum LW, probably (Augusto)
Posted from
United States -
Alou Diarra might be staying. If he does, then Fabio Santos’s situation is looking quite grim.
Ante Rukavina is a young Croation striker at Haidjuk Split (I think). Lyon were very interested in getting him in the fall, and Lacombe and Sonny went to watch him several times.
Posted from
United States -
“Jo is definately Lyon’s next striker after Fred leaves though”
Hum…. Really ?
Ok, I go training… !
Posted from
France -
sounds reasonable Inara, but I question Lacombe’s eye for a player. And Sonny certainly does not have the experience even though i know he just started scouting for us.
Haha Jo, you know who i meant, but I would give up alot to play for Lyon instead of a D3 college team (not anymore actually but you get the point).
Posted from
United States -
I don’t know how reliable Sonny is as a scout – but I would take Lacombe’s word over Aulas, Houllier and Perrin eight days a week!
Hmm, if Lyon are accepting applications, I would like to volunteer to be the official team masseuse.
Posted from
United States -
Hello everyone,
wooaw, I had no idea there were so many Lyon fans in the stats.
I am supporting them since 1989, so you can imagine I have been pretty in the results since then .I don’t think Lyon should buy another player. We don’t want to create anymore tensions as it has been the case last year. Too many players kills the team spirit.
I think Paillot is a player to watch closely. He is very clever for his age. So no need of CB.
I am one of Hatem’s biggest fans. I know he is still “not serious” enough, but I think he needs to be a starting member to gain this. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson let him play although he was not always reliable at first. And now he is arguably the best in his role. And I do think Ben Arfa deserves to be the LW.
I think though Lyon could buy Renato and let him play in Flamengo as a loan for 1 extra season. Everyone would be happy this way. But I know it will probably never happen. A shame.
Posted from
Japan -
Hello everyone,
wooaw, I had no idea there were so many Lyon fans in the states.
I am supporting them since 1989, so you can imagine I have been pretty in the results since then .I don’t think Lyon should buy another player. We don’t want to create anymore tensions as it has been the case last year. Too many players kills the team spirit.
I think Paillot is a player to watch closely. He is very clever for his age. So no need of CB.
I am one of Hatem’s biggest fans. I know he is still “not serious” enough, but I think he needs to be a starting member to gain this. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson let him play although he was not always reliable at first. And now he is arguably the best in his role. And I do think Ben Arfa deserves to be the LW.
I think though Lyon could buy Renato and let him play in Flamengo as a loan for 1 extra season. Everyone would be happy this way. But I know it will probably never happen. A shame.
Posted from
Japan -
Welcome! I think it’s wonderful that Lyon have Japanese fans! And supporting them since 1989…wow, that’s impressive. May I ask how you became interested in Lyon?
Good point with Ben Arfa. You’re right, Ronaldo wasn’t the best at his position either when he started at United, though he did learn. I’m pretty confident at this point that it will be Belhadj and Ben Arfa rotating.
Cross your fingers for Renato though. Lyon’s advantage at this point is that the big clubs have already spent a lot of money and may be willing to let Renato drop from their list of priorities.
Posted from
United States -
well, my reason for being a Lyon fan is very simple. I lived in Lyon for 12 years. So I discovered the team living there.
I am now working in Japan as a French and English Teacher. I am trying to promote “olympique Lyonnais” in the school
I can’t go and see games as much as I would like to though. A shame. Actually Lyon are not far from where I live now. In Korea. Maybe I can see the broadcast of the game againt shimizu as it is a Japanese team.I am for 3 high level players for 2 positions (the only exception being on the LB and RB, but we already have our players, so good good.) and then let the young players fill in the gaps when necessary. that’s why I am all for Paillot, Mounier, Beynie.
Like that you avoid to many tensions.Posted from
Japan
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