Kiddie Update: Yannis Tafer Shines

By: Inara | May 12th, 2008

The UEFA Under-17 Championship is in full swing, and whaddya know, France are in the semifinals. They finished second in their group (Spain got top spot because they scored one more goal), and so this afternoon, they will be taking on group winners Turkey for a place in the finals.

Our Lyon boys are putting forth a fine display. Sébastien Fauré has started every game so far and is proving to be a solid defender, Enzo Reale has been showing himself capable of some slick passing, and the three attackers – Clement Grenier, Alexandre Lacazette, and Yannis Tafer – are looking very special. In fact, 6 of France’s 7 goals so far have been scored by Lyon players.

Grenier scored against Spain with a beautiful free kick while Lacazette’s goal gave France the victory over Ireland.

As for Tafer…he’s scored in every game so far, and in the last game against Switzerland, he got a brace (he could have had a hat trick if his third goal hadn’t been offside). With four goals in the tournament so far, he’s already surpassed last year’s most goals tally (it was three), and he just might end up as the top scorer.

Good thing that Tafer and Grenier were signed to pro-contracts before the tournament started, right?

You can watch the semifinal against Turkey (who are IMO one of the best teams in the tournament) tomorrow at 11:30 eastern standard time (17:30 CET). It will be on Eurosport, which you can also watch for free online (www.eurosport.com).

UEFA.com has a really nice article on Tafer and how he draws inspiration from Karim Benzema, who is a close friend and a mentor of sorts. Benzema had originally planned to fly down to Turkey to support France in the competition that he won four years ago. But since Lyon haven’t won their title yet, Benzema wasn’t given permission to leave.

Tafer had this to say about his future at the club:

“I don’t have any ambitions outside Lyon. They are my club, I love Lyon, and I take the example of Karim Benzema, who took everything step by step, and I’d like to do the same.”

This was the most important benefit of Benzema extending his contract. The fact that he’s an example to other aspiring players who might otherwise be tempted with a move abroad. It’s the same reason that Grenier chose to sign a pro-contract with Lyon instead of going to Arsenal/Real Madrid/Chelsea/Inter. It’s the reason why Miralem Pjanic prefers Lyon to Barcelona. And it’s hopefully why Hatem Ben Arfa will choose to stay (oh please go away Alain).

The ability to attract and keep players is so important, especially for a club like Lyon, who don’t have the financial strength and historical appeal of the European superclubs.

At the bottom are some attached videos. The first three are the goals from the Ireland and Spain games, and at the bottom is a link to video of Benzema, but in it, he visits Tafer and gives him a pair of shows.

Question of the day: If Benzema is the next Ronaldo (the fat one when he wasn’t fat), is Tafer the new Benzema? They do look alike. They’re both strikers, born in Lyon, considered to be “pearls”…hey, is Tafer a French-Algerian?

I kid, I kid.

Tafer’s goal against Ireland:

Lacazette’s goal against Ireland:

Highlights of France-Spain (Grenier, Taferx2)

Benzema is already preparing his successor (2:20): http://www.kewego.fr/video/iLyROoaft3rK.html

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Player News and Rumors, Team News and Rumors

« Hatem Ben Arfa to Arsenal? | Home | Karim Benzema’s New Adidas Commerical »

Corey

Unfortunately for Charvet, Paillot made it out of the reserves and into the first team before him so his place it pretty much gone. Good luck to him at Lille though, he is a good player, his father was not to bad a player either.
Evilo

COREY : Disagree on both accounts.

On diving : there's a difference between diving (Lacazette, Malouda, Ronaldo, Fiorèse, etc...) and embellishing (what most players do).
Lacazette dived, even when there was no foul. It was sickening (no comparison with Kakuta really).

And on Kakuta, again I disagree completely, but I made my point earlier, so I won't repeat it.
Kakuta was immensly useful, making key deflections, accelerating the flow of the game, etc...
And I don't know if you're talking about the french Eurosport commentators, but that's not what I heard from them.
Pride of Lyon

Yes, Charvet is being tested, and I hope he goes to Lille. We have no real place for him in Lyon, and Lille trusts young players. It would also improve even more the links between Lyon and Lille (if it was necessary).
Jo

By the way, Michael Charvet is making tests for Lille.
Corey

Lots of great players dive Evilo, its part of the sport, and while I do not condone it, its fairly prevelant in the lower age classes. Lacazette dove as often as Kakuta did, and we wont even bother comparing the Turkish center forwards antics! Lacazette has alot of talent, diver or not, its something you grow out of, but it must be said he stopped once France drew level. Not the best tactic to help the team, but it showed he cared.

Kakuta is selfish, his dribbles were often fruitless and his passing was either to short or into a Turkish players legs. I was not the only one that noticed, the Eurosport commentators couldnt stop complaining about him not including teammates into his play. When he would loose possession or mishit a pass he would have a mini-tantrum, and often his team mates looked so disinterested in his antics, while if they spoke to him he often ignored them flately. His skill is obvious, his attitude is even more. And that will make or break his career more than anything.

Jo- I really dont know about Grenier. I feel like if he was isolated on the wing he could really use his attributes more like Ben Arfa has shown us. But at the same time, he does not have the same technical abiltiy, but more in the passing, movement and on the field intelligence that suits a central player. It is to his detriment if a coach does not put him in one spot and tell him to learn, as having atleast one set position to learn will only benefit him. But if he was to make it into the Lyon first team, would he play in place of Juninho or Govou? I dont know as of yet, looks like Juninho for now.

Also, what a pairing Faure and Charvet or Seguin could be in the future!
Evilo

COREY : Couldn't disagree more. You think he's selfish, I think he made some great passes that his teammates couldn't bury because they can't cope with his speed and his football mind.
He was also the most dangerous player, hitting the crossbar, while Tafer seemed to target the goalie's hands.

Grenier SHOULD NOT play wing. His game is made for the center of the pitch. Nice foot, nice head for the game. But he's missed his tournament so far, his timing was off.
I think part of it is because he's tired after a great season, and part of it is maybe his head is a tad too big right now.

Reale is NOT a DM. He's an attacking midfielder who adapted to DM for this tournament. It shows, he doesn't have the tools to be a Toulalan (but really few do), but he showed some nice hustle.

Fauré was great. Lacazette is a really a fantastic diver. Embarrassing. I sure won't pull for him to succeed until he stops this ridiculous act.
Jo

I agree with almost all of that, Corey.
But I'm not sure about Grenier. If you're right about him becoming a winger, so he'll probably become more of a Malouda's type of player than a Ben Arfa's one.
That could be very interesting to have two sorts of very different winger in the team.
And I do not forget Mounier who could be a mix between Grenier and Ben Arfa.
Corey

Evilo- Kakuta has some great talent with the ball, but for all his tricks he rarely completed a pass and was so selfish with the ball that it was a detriment to the team. If he does not learn to pass more often or create something with his tricks and movement he will end up playing in the English 3rd division his whole life, a 1 trick pony. At Chelsea he should be getting good coaching so he may just mature into a great player, but right now I see him going into a career of disappointment.

Faure did not make many mistakes, it was Remy who was often out of position. Faure always won his challenges and got to almost all 50-50 balls. Grenier had an off game and though he has talent, I do not believe being a striker/attacking midfielder will suit him. A winger is what looks likely for him, that way he can cut in instead of having the whole field to operate, making him more dangerous.

Reale was a little off the pace. He was combatative but small compared to Fofana, meaning he was often over run. Fofana was suppose to be the Dm in the pair but Reale often sat back, so a Toulalan-esque playing style, yes. But I think he has more to offer going forward and would make a great Essien/Tiago player combining a little bit of everything in midfield.

Lacazette is a tremendous talent, his development along with Tafer and Yann Ekra is very exciting for Lyon!
Goran

I'm sorry,but can somebody tell me what is going on with the Pjanić transfer.Had he signed a contract with Lyon? I think we all know that he will choose Lyon!
Good Luck,I hope Miralem will sign for you.If he does you will have many fans from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Greetings from there.
Jo

I think Faure was not the most exciting on the pitch, yesterday. He was strong, all right, but did some incredible mistake in defense. Bad placements.
Fofana was the man of the match, to me. Everywhere, and always agressive on the ball. He gave a tough time to Turkish midfielders.
Lacazette seems to have "ce petit quelque chose" of a future incredible player ! I'm hurry to be 3 years later... to see him with the pro.
About Real, I saw yesterday some very good "Toulalienne" qualities, he'd make a great DM in my opinion.
Grenier did not his best match, but you can see he has this something special with the ball. I'm sure he can be the player everybody want he is.
And I must admit Tafer disappointed me. That was not his day. But he did a decisive pass, job is done.
Evilo

Of the Lyon forwards maybe, but Kakuta is an out of this world talent.

For all his "no substance", he hit the bar and was the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Corey

it is tough to watch, but it is the best way to analyze the future for Lyon. Fofana was impressive if not a little cumbersome in the center of the pitch but will be in the back against Spain as Remy is suspended. Reale was largely invisible in the match, which was to bad.

Faure was great, he never put a wrong foot in all game. Great prospect. Tafer had an off night, but he is also looking good. Lacazette did dive a few times which is worrying, but while Kakuta had alot of flash and no substance, Lacazette put together a few passes and had some neat runs. I think he has the most potential of all the forwards, do not forget he just turned 16 a few months ago!
Evilo

"is kakuta the kid making the run in the first video?"

No it was Lacazette, the serial diver... :)
RougeBleu

On the opposite side of the age group.
http://www.goal.com/fr/Articol...
This should make some people happy.
Corey

Yeah Lacazette is on and looks lively!
Corey

Im watching the France game, and I have to say that Grenier looks to be a little overhyped. His movement and passing are decent, but the next Kaka, far from it. But he could become a very good player with more positional training. Tafer seems to be a 'fox-in-the-box' type player, capable of scoring but he looks unlikely to take your breath away with a dazzlng run. Kakuta is talented but is a ball hog with a poor attitude, he looks to have alienated his teammates with his selfishness.

Reale is solid in the center, equal parts smart distribution and defensive help for Fofana. Who has impressed me most is Faure, he has been solid with the tall Turkish striker as his mark and he passes well. I see alot of potential in our Lyon academy players, and Lacazette hasnt even come on yet, my favorite player!
Ush

As an Irishman, 2nd goal there was shocking defending more than anything! :)
jamie

is kakuta the kid making the run in the first video?
Evilo

Nah Kakuta's shining. He's the best prospect of this generation as of now, by a wide margin.
Jo

Yes, the last goal in the France / Espagne game is scored by William Remy (Lensois !), not by Taffer.
First goal not scored by a lyonnais ! :)
Jao

Everyone I have talked (especially Chelsea fans) to were expecting this tournament to be Kakuta's come out party when its been the Lyon players playing well. Amazing volley by Remy. Allez France, nous gagnerons.