News update

By: Megame | January 12th, 2011

The second half of the season is about to begin, we have our eyes set on that first game against Lorient, but there are a couple of interesting things that have been said or done around the club lately.

jean-ii-makoun-devrait-dire-au-revoir-a-claude-puel-et-l-ol-

Here’s a quick roundup:

- Jean II Makoun is on his way to Aston Villa. The clubs have agreed the terms (apparently 6 million € plus bonus potential of 3 more depending on results), what seems to remain is an agreement with Jean II himself.

- Arles is apparently trying to get Belfodil on loan, and looking at swapping him against Abensoar, too often injured for their liking. Even though Puel rejected any loan of pro team members (meaning Lacazette won’t join fellow young Lyonnais Mounier in Nice), he let the door open for Pro-2 members. Belfodil is an obvious target, as Puel seems fed up with his behaviour on and off the pitch.

Toule Jan 2011

- Toulalan recently gave an interview to the club’s website, in which he openly spoke about the crisis he’s been through, about this form, and his future:

About the last 6 months : “This was the worst period of my career. Mentally I just wasn’t there after the World Cup. We had to move on, but it is not easy. There were regrets … I could not evacuate them… I was injured … I must have put in one or two decent games, that’s all … I asked myself a lot of questions… even thinking about stopping playing football. Fortunately the club, in particular, supported me. I had spoken with the coach after the World Cup. He had said I could come back earlier… I should have done it. During this period, I still said I should look around, as there were worse situations….” Jérémy then added: “This wound will never leave me…”

About his form : “I have not started this season. Hopefully things will go well now. This training camp as gone down in great conditions… we have all spoken with each other…. I am sure the group can do better and regain the title of champions of France. But there is also the Champions League and the Coupe de France. We have prepared well during this training camp, but we will not be at the top right away. And me too … Me, I need to be in great shape to show what I can do best with the ball….”

About his future : “I am only thinking about my club. It’s my priority … after as far as the France team is concerned, we’ll see what happens….” “The club offered me a contract extension. I’m happy at OL. I even think I can finish my career at OL. This club, like FC Nantes suits me. My family likes living in Lyon. There was never a club that made me dream. But for now I just want to get back to my best….”

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- Cris also just gave an interview about his form and how he sees the team.

About his form : “I know I have to rush back to my level,” says the 33-year-old Wednesday. But it’s nice to have that kind of pressure, it means people are still counting on you and you can still be important to the club. ” If Cris feels “still strong”, he admits he “no longer is twenty-two years old” and should exercise with caution. “I do not need to give everything in training, it’s in the game that it happens for me now.” Hence a taylor-made program, negotiated with the medical staff and Claude Puel. “On a week with one game, OK, I can work with everyone. But in times when we play every three days, I need rest.” His repeated injuries between August and December (twice the hamstrings and adductors) are directly responsible for this change of approach. Why so many ailments? “In previous years, I had made good preparations, but still within my limits. This time I changed my habits a bit, it might just be that. ”

About the team:
From the stadiums, in these last few weeks Cris has seen a Lyon team “in the process of finding a good feeling.” He expressed his confidence that the return to form of all key players will still improve the team in the second half of the season. “Our backbone is Hugo, I,” Toul “, Yoann (Gourcuff) and Lisandro. Today, there are only two who are in shape, Hugo and “Licha”. Imagine when the other three will come back in shape. It will make a good team, right? ”

May you be right, old chap.

So guys, that’s it from me. As always, don’t forget to share your feelings, thoughts, news, rumours, links, and gossip !

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Claude Puel, Jean-Michel Aulas, Lisandro Lopez, People, Player News and Rumors, Player Profiles, Team News and Rumors, Transfers

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Megame

Here's what the club had to say about Makoun's transfer:
"The finalization of the possible transfer of the Cameroon international at Aston Villa remains conditional on the outcome of the medical and on an agreement between the player and the club led by Gerard Houllier.

Olympique Lyonnais wishes to clarify that, contrary to some reports in the press, this transfer is in no way dictated by the need for cash as OL Group to date has a positive cash flow and no debt.

However, this transfer would reduce the payroll of the club while the professional staff remain substantial, particularly in midfield who will soon benefit from the return of Ederson."
john

stupid: http://www.goal.com/en/news/90...
muffin

And apparently Samba also prefers Aston Villa to Lyon! Unbelievable. We're gonna lose one very useful player to a club that's also gonna snatch a player that we need so much in the defense.
On top of that Puel said Makoun is not gonna be replaced and we're not bringing in any new players. Nonsense. I thought the faults of this team were clearly visible throughout the first part of the season?
Ronan

why on earth youd prefer villa over lyon is behond me,yer theres that pull of the epl,but really for a relegated threatened epl side ?Lyon is a nicer city,cl football,bigger club,better wages,better chance to move to a bigger club from Lyon....silly samba,how about Dede best cb in brazil last season....even so lyon selling makoun,i dont think replacing him is essential,a new cb or 2 is but,with in terms of n umbers a descant amount there you no full well lyon will settle for it..
pierrot

very useful player who appeared happy, for the most part, at lyon, let go for peanuts - what is the thinking??
MattAU

I think the home fans are largely to blame, so fickle. Booing one of our players is going to destroy their confidence (on the other hand booing a coach I have no problem with as that can actually be productive).

Great words from Toul. Would love to see him be captain the next 5 years. Here's hoping!
Dror

I find it interesting that Cris said the exact same thing we often say here about the they key backbone players.
when we say it as fans it sounds logical, but i'm not sure if the team captain should say such a thing.

as for Toul saying he seems himself finishing his career with Lyon, well, i have nothing to say about it, just wanted to see it written again :D
muffin

I must say that at this moment I don't like the decision to sell Makoun. Especially for such small amount of money. He's found good form recently and also declared he's currently happy in Lyon. And right now, in 2nd part of the season, we'll need every help we can get. Again easily can happen that two or three of our midfielders get injured at the same time and then we're screwed. It could only be a good thing if we use the money to buy a good CB. If we don't I'll be pretty pissed.
Oh and btw, what's with this Belfodil situation? Has he been acting Govouish? :)
John

Yeah, I think Makoun has proven his worth and it's crazy to let him go before the summer. I think a Makoun/Kallstrom/Gourcuff playing as side mids gives us a solid midfiled and insurance against injuries. Hopefully he will stay and stick a long shot in the net against Real in the CL again.
Ronan

think lyon are selling players far more easily than they did say 3 years ago.
Flash

You are doing a great job Megame. Thanks for the informations and I wish Makoun all the best. May the Villa supporters like him.