Short Transfer Post

By: John | August 26th, 2008

Well, after 30 appearences and 7 goals for Lyon, It looks like we finally found a buyer for the “Blank Czech,” Milan Baros. Phyeeeeew!!!! It looks like it’s official now. Lyon and Galatasaray are said to have reached a verbal agreement on Monday, and apparently Baros was in Istanbul today Tuesday, to sign the contract. The deal is said to be for 3 years and worth 5.5 mill Euros, so JMA’s made a 3 mill Euro profit. Baros’ departure really did come down to the wire. Personally, I didn’t think there’d be any takers, and it really did come close to the closing of the transfer window, which has now been pushed back by the league to midnight Sept 1.
Baros is a real hard-worker and doesn’t lack for effort, although in terms of goal-scoring, Baros has been in a real dry spell lately, and obviously a striker’s worth is measured by how many balls he puts in the back of the net. But, I have to somewhat revise my harsh criticism of the guy after analyzing his stats, especially when comparing him to his replacement in the Lyon striker pecking-order, Frederic Piquionne. When you compare the two players’ goal scoring ratios last season, it’s actually Baros who’s more efficient: By my math, Baros scored an average of 1 goal per 3.4 appearences. While Piquionne scored 1 goal per every 4.6 appearences(7 goals in 32 apps). This isn’t a defense of Baros, but more of a critique of Piquionne I guess. Did we end up getting a less efficient #3? Anyway, we really could have done a better job getting a more prolific scoring third striker.

On the acquisition front, JMA had recently hinted after the purchase of Thimothee Kolodziecziak, that Lyon might not be done for this mercato. Rumor has it that Lyon is inquiring about AC Milan’s RB, Massimo Oddo. It appears that things are just in the “fealing-out” process, but this may be the side-back that Lyon was promising. I don’t know what Oddo is worth or the probability of this taking place, but I think the acquisition of a starting right-back would be even better than than buying a back-up left back, as it would allow Anthony Reveillere to be the #2 at both RB and LB and add experience to those two positions.
Also, according to Mercato 365, Lyon are very interested in Danijel Pranjic of Eridivisie outfit Heerenveen, as Cesar Delgado is rumored to be on his way out of Gerland. Boca Juniors is said to be highly interested in Delgado’s services. Pranjic would fill in as back-up LB to Grosso and can also play all along the left side.
And alas, Alain may be back in L1! After only three weeks of L1 action, the board of Nantes is looking to sack their current coach Michel Der Zakarian. Nantes is currently winless in three games with 1 point and at the bottom of the table, tied for last place with Lille.
Despite denouncements by UNECATEF, the union that represents L1 coaches, Les Canaris’ president Waldimer Kita has admitted to having held talks with Alain Perrin. Supposedly, Perrin is said to be asking for a high degree of autonomy should he decide to take the job.