WHO SHOULD LYON BUY?

By: John | June 17th, 2009

Build your own team for next season.

I thought we should do our version of goal.com’s article, maybe they’ve pulled-it. Anyway, although I thought that the author got a couple of things right in his article, he was, IMO, shooting too low. Now that JMA has renewed my confidence in OL’s possibly getting serious this mercato, lets see what we can come-up with, that while being slightly more ambitious than goal, is still realistic. Remember, I’m not talking about bringing in Vidic and Evra, let’s keep it realistic.

Lloris
Clerc-Cris-Boumsong-Morel
Govou/Remy-Toulalan-Makoun-Drenthe/Mancini
Perez/Erding-Benzema

Left Back: I’m really banging my head as to who else to include in the left back category, but for now, My choice is Jeremy Morel of Lorient. He’s put in some fine performances this year, and he woudln’t break the bank either. Only downside: lack of big game experience. Would be nice to have Drenthe or some more experienced player as a back-up or even starter in more important CL games.

LMF/LW:

Amantino Mancini: If Mancini is let go by Inter at 10 mill or under, his acquisition is a must. Hopefully his loss of form is just due to lack of playing time in Mourinho’s squad and he can regain his Roma form in no time. His “polyvalence”-aside from his abundant tactical skills- make him a real prize being able to slide into LMF/LWF, AMF as well as his more natural RMF/RWF role.

Royston Drenthe: Would fullfill our needs all along the left-hand side, even providing a back-up left back. If his reported price tag is really 13mill, then that’s a steal for the potential upside that this talent can bring to the club.

Strikers:

Loic Remy: If it’s true that management didn’t include a buy-back clause in Remy’s sale contract, then that has to be one of the most bone-headed moves in their history; what a lack of foresight. And another thing I don’t get is how are they still willing to sell Anthony Mounier to Nice if they are so insistant that they will not sell Remy back- unless it’s a ploy to drive-up his price of course. Anyway, like Mancini, Remy could fill alot of holes: he could fill-in on the left and right when Govou’s out, partner at starting striker next to Karim in a 4-4-2, or give us a #2/#3 back-up option at CF if another striker is brought in.

Melvut Erding: At 10mill, he’s a a less expensive option with plenty of potential. He could pair up with Benz or be a potent #2 option.

Lisandro Lopez: No need to say much. He’s a prolific world class striker, who will pair-up with Karim, wreak havoc on defenses, and ease the pain of Benz’s departure in the near future.

I didn’t include most of Real’s Dutch exodus, because most of their salaries are prohibitive. Also, don’t forget to leave your opinions regarding potential left backs.

Oh, Ronan, if ever there was a post for you, this is it buddy.