Lyon: The Retirement Community for Washed Up French Stars

By: Inara | April 11th, 2007

Okay, maybe not entirely washed up.

But they aren’t exactly lighting the world on fire either.

For those of you who keep updated with transfer gossip, you’ll know that David Trezeguet is linked with a move to Lyon practically every other week. But word on the street is that Ludovic Giuly may end his career in France.

Fellow blogger Laurie has been keeping us updated with the latest news on Trezeguet, who is having what is quite possibly his worst season ever, and amidst rumors that Miroslav Klose is “interested” in Juventus, he might decide that his best interests may be away from Turin this summer.

Lyon have been in engaging in an on again, off again courtship with him, and in fact, they very nearly did sign him last summer. But new manager Didier Deschamps decided to stop the hemorrhage of players leaving Juventus after half the club fled to rivals Inter or to Spain. Still, Lyon hasn’t given up hope, and despite having an arsenal of talented forwards, the club wants that one big name signing that will lend the club – and Ligue 1 – some credibility. But matters are complicated because a) Trezeguet can’t decide if he wants to stay at Juventus or not, and b) Lyon acquired Milan Baros after being unable to sign their first ten choices.

Giuly’s season has been less dramatic but no less disappointing. After a hugely successful campaign in Spain in 2006, Lionel Messi has been usurping his place in Barcelona’s forward line this year. What’s worse is Domenech’s refusal to call up Giuly, instead preferring the eternally misfiring Djibril Cisse, and Sidney Govou, who plays well right up until the moment he touches the ball. It’s also no secret that Barcelona want Lyon left-back Eric Abidal but aren’t prepared to pay the 20 million Euros Lyon will surely demand. So they may try to lower the price by offering to throw in Giuly (a graduate of Lyon’s youth academy and former Lyon player) as part of the package.

Giuly

Ludovic Giuly during the UEFA Cup match between Lyon and Lazio in 1994.

But I’m not sure that signing them is in the best interests of Lyon.

Don’t get me wrong, I have much respect for both players, but sometimes I get the feeling that for many French internationals, Lyon is the place to end a career. These guys are finding themselves on the wrong side of thirty as they slowly lose their place to younger players both domestically and internationally. And it hasn’t escaped their notice that Domenech frequently pulls nine to ten players from Lyon.

Sylvain Wiltord was a similar case. After being pushed down the pecking order at Arsenal, and when no suitable offers came from bigger clubs, he took a cut in his pay and the standard of the league to come to Lyon. But it turned out to be the best possible decision. At Lyon, he was able to relaunch his career and eventually become one of the most important players at the club, having scored many crucial goals and often times acting as a leader in the team. And his good form hasn’t gone unrewarded. Despite spending several months out injured this year, Wiltord is still receiving call ups to the NT.

So I can understand why Trezeguet and Giuly might find Lyon appealing. They too might have the opportunity to rediscover the form that made them so unstoppable only two years ago.

President Aulas loves the idea being the official provider of Les Bleus for the France National Team, and in order to increase Lyon’s value, he is doing his best to have as many internationals as possible at the club. Plus, having big name players would be a major attraction for the shareholders now that Lyon is on the stock market.

But are the moves good for Lyon, despite the expected increase in the club’s net worth? At such a critical juncture in Lyon’s growth, is it worth it to spend so much money on players who can contribute only two or three more seasons? Remember, it’s not just the transfer fees the club has to afford – it’s their multi-million dollar salaries. This would also create major disharmony among the players. Fred and Benzema were already pissed off when Baros came in. And Giuly coming in would mean either Govou or Wiltord would have to leave. Look what happened to Alou Diarra – Aulas bought him on a whim. He wanted another French international despite Houllier’s objections. And now both Diarra and Houllier are unhappy.

So I’m just going to hope that these rumors are only rumors, and that dear President Aulas is going to be more sensible about his transfers this time around.