Le Fermier
By: John | November 6th, 2008
Recently my favorite Lyon player gave an interview to Le Progress. Jeremy Toulalan is a defensive stalwart and anchor in the Lyon midfield. Since coming in from Nantes, he has suprisingly more than filled-in the very large shoes of the departed Mahamadou Diarra. His tenacious play and low-key, nerdy manner is something that endears him to lots of OL fans. Although he seems very shy and introverted, I’m hoping he’ll come out of that an assume a leadership role in the squad. It’s funny that someone- I won’t mention any names Inara- was complaining about his being photographed as a farmer in the last post about the OL 2009 calender, but that’s actually the embodiment of his personality: He rises with the sun, working hard, ploughing his trade, reliably and dependebly on a day-to-day basis. Since, he’s been a hot topic on the blog lately, and it seems he has a huge following amoungst our fans, I thought some of you would be interested in what he had to say. The following is a translation of the interview:
Le Progress: One had the gotten the immpression that you had found your stride.
Toulalan: The most important thing is to be consistent. In fact, I didn’t really get the impression that I covered that much ground. Maybe it’s because we were well organized. We were consistent. During the victroy at Sochaux, even if we did not succeed, we were ontrack.
LP: So you who belong to the defensive side of the team, should be happy that this bloc is finally solidifying.
JT: Yes, that is so, today it’s the defense that is watched, yesterday it was the attack, tomorrow it could be the midfield. No, the whole team is involved in the task of defending. We gave up three goals to Rennes, at Bucharest, we had a scenario that we won’t see everyday. It was often in reaction to the matches. Against Le Mans, we had a better showing and it was wise not to run-up the score. It is a good thing before going to Bucharest. I’m sure we will be at full strength.
LP: Will you be able to advance in the CL?
JT: It will be difficult. It’s magic. We play in the CL to win it. There is pressure, the matches get harder, demanding more concentration, and it’s alot harder to regain concentration after the matches.
LP: How do you respond to those who believe that OL will never get further than the quarter-finals?
JT: That’s not based on reality. We aren’t missing much. We weren’t far when we played Manchester. We are a great team, after that we play through injuries. One should admire what OL has done so far overtime, even if OM and PSG are more popular, frankly that deosn’t bother me. OL is different, the players are proteceted and treated well, I prefer that. Maybe we like stories where the clubs are…
LP: You play an obscure role. You run around alot. To what end in terms of recognition?
JT: Above all it’s mental. In the way I see my sport, I want to better myself. I re-watch my matches sometimes, but I see things well. I would in no way be capable of doing that which Karim and Juninho do, because that’s magic. Therefore I don’t take offense.
Interviewer: You have re-signed until 2012, as the center of OL’s base, have you changed?
Toulalan: I have evolved, I must steady my behaviour and my work. I said one day that I would never leave Nantes. For myself as well as OL, there will be a turn, we will see what will happen.
LP: What is your dream?
JT: To score a goal with OL(laughs). I’m kidding, as much as I was less sure on the pitch against Fiorentina, I didn’t stop taking shots on-goal and I failed to score! I would love to win the CL with OL. I would be ready to finish my career right there, that would be really beautiful!
Let’s hope it happens that way for La Toule.
If anyone would like the original copy of this article, please let me know and I’ll email a copy, since the link has been taken down from Le Progress.
Category: Team News and Rumors
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
kssst ronaldo, get off from benzema
btw toulalan talks very wise words when he get interviewed about football, but when he got interviewed about other things than football it is.. aaight ;p
he is just 25 but he is talking about himsself like he is 45 or something lmaoPosted from
Netherlands
-
There was also an interview in the Le Progress a couple of days ago with Claude Puel. He was asked which of the OL players most reminds him of himself and he claimed it was Toulalan.
I no longer have the article but from memory he said that as a player he (Puel)was very hard working but discrete in his style of play and also quite shy. He later claimed that his (Puel’s) nickname as a player was Trois Poumon (three lungs)exactly the same as Toulalan’s. I almost couldn’t believe that because it somehow seems to be stealing from le Toul’s book, but I supose it would be a little too crass to invent that.Either way it must a huge confirmation for a player for the manager to say he reminds you of himself. As if he needed any further confirmation of course!
Posted from
France -
I’m not surprised; Puel was known to be a player who relied more on his intelligence and fitness than any special talent, which is pretty much like Toulalan. Even now, Puel is in better shape than some of his players. I was watching the OLTV clip for today, and he seemed to be running circles around Fred – despite being over 20 years older.
Posted from
United States -
What does ronaldo say about France and Benzema,unfortunarely I dont speek french. ?
Posted from
United States -
Ronald: Basically he says that Karim is a great player. He remembers him from the CL last year. When asked if he’s like to play with Benz, he says that of course, bec there are so many good qualities that they share. And when asked about eventually playing in France he says that he still doesn’t know. He says he loves Paris, that when he has time he goes to visit a friend there, and that it’s a beautiful city.
Can’t disagree with the last part.Posted from
Costa Rica -
He must be hoping/recruiting for Real. I would really be distraught if Karim goes to Real and links-up with that weasal.
Posted from
Costa Rica -
Cheers John,I thought Ronaldo would have said his usual “Only God knows the future” or something like that.
Posted from
United States -
Benzema really wants to play with Ribery. If Madrid recruit both, that could be a very powerful partnership.
Posted from
United States -
Also, Lyon were fined one euro by a court in St. Etienne for incidents at the derby way back in spring of 2007 (the one where the ASSE fans had pictures of the players as animals, with a slogan saying, it’s hunting season, let’s kill them).
http://news.maxifoot.com/info-087289_81106/football.php
Posted from
United States -
Not the topic, but here are a few facts about Lyon from this year’s uefa champions league…
3rd best attack (10 goals) behind barca and arsenal.
5th most shots on target (28)
4th most shots wide (32) behind Real, Man U and Barca
3rd “not offside” team (6)On the darker side, the players committed a lot of fouls (8), but we also suffered a lot of fouls (7).
This is also due to the fact the teams in our group commit a lot of fouls (fiorentina and steaua being the 3rd and 4th worst teams).I know numbers are just numbers, but every season, lyon is always one of the best teams when you look at the statistics… I’m always very surprised actually to see them top the “shots on goal” year in year out despite not holding the ball for very long (average). It is always something that strikes me when I watch Lyon, they often look like they are dominating, but when you look at the possession at the end of the game, it is often 50-50. A paradox…
Posted from
Japan -
Lyon have never been a team that has a lot of possession. Even teams like Le Havre have more time on the ball than OL. But it’s what they do with that possession, and OL have always been good at creating chances out of nothing.
The problem for Lyon has always been finishing – Benzema is the only real finisher we have, and he’s really not a finisher – he himself admitted that he needs to work on scoring the simple goals because he focuses too much on the pretty ones.
Posted from
United States -
The Trezeguet to Lyon rumours are hotting up
Posted from
United States -
it would be nice if benzema could play with ribery. benzema also really wants to play with nasri. but there was a rumour that ribery hates nasri, lol whatever ;p
anyways its fun to see ribery and benzema going on at les bleus like 5 year olds
Posted from
Netherlands -
It’s a shame that Diouf had to be such an ass and not sell us Ribery, then we could have kept Benz here and happy for some more years.
And about St.Etienne players carrying signs of Lyon players with animals heads, sounds like a Sarah Palin campaign rally.Posted from
Costa Rica -
http://furaniaphotos.free.fr/img/lyon07/bb.jpg
It’s clever in a very disturbing sort of way.
Posted from
United States -
I know it’s coming from Goal.com, but please God, let it be true.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=953258Posted from
Costa Rica -
Inara: Who’s name is on the hippo?
Posted from
Costa Rica -
It’s Muller’s.
Here is a better pic:
http://furaniaphotos.free.fr/img/lyon07/aa.jpg
Posted from
United States -
Also, about Remy, we won’t have to worry about him going to Newcastle. They’ve been trying to get him for the last two years actually, but Remy wasn’t interested (who can blame him, that club is a disaster).
It would be concerning if a bigger club came in. Arsenal, Sevilla, and Juventus have also been linked to him. Also Tottenham, but Remy won’t go there either.
Posted from
United States -
And here is another interesting article, though it talks about something we already know:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/78697-frances-footballing-youth-always-in-demand
Posted from
United States -
Benz leaving in January and Trezeguet the replacement? Where do these “journalists” get their frickin’ info??! Like Lyon would let him go in January…like Lyon would want Trezeguet…arrgghh, it makes me mad all this constant speculation!
Posted from
Canada -
Jeez,Goal.com have been busy linking players to us today-Trezeguet,Abidal and now Remy !
Posted from
United States -
My views are Abidal is an overated bastard who treated Lyon like shit only last year so I dont want an injured player in decline to come here.Plus 90mill release clause(WTF).Benzema for Trezeguet ? Who on earth would be stupid enough to do that ? Baring in mind Trezeguet is 11 years older than Benz, for Fred I would say yes though. Remy,yes plaese love him back although the talk of him replacing Karim is nonsence talk because he isnt half as goog.
Posted from
United States -
Aulas’ name is on the hyena. Hahahahaha
Posted from
Costa Rica -
Regarding Abidal, I just don’t see Aulas spending more money to get back a player he’s already sold, unless he doesn’t take a loss on the price. Has that ever happened?
Posted from
Costa Rica
Read the rest of the comments
Comments are closed
Home 
