Wissam Ben Yedder Says Barcelona Have Been Pursuing Him Since Last Summer
Mar 19, 2020
Monaco's French forward Wissam Ben Yedder celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Nice against Monaco on March 7, 2020 at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, southeastern France. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder has said Barcelona have been interested in signing him since last summer.
The Frenchman enjoyed the best season of his career to date in 2018-19, netting 18 goals and providing nine assists for Sevilla in La Liga and also scoring eight times in eight UEFA Europa League appearances.
In August 2019, he signed for Monaco in a €40 million (£37.1 million) deal after being strongly linked with Manchester United:
However, he has now said that Barca were also in for him and inquired about signing him again in January, per Onze Mondial(h/t Goal's James Westwood):
"For starters, these are things that could have happened long before. Last summer, for example. They [Barca] took information about me several times. This winter, it could have been done. It didn't happen; that's how it was, that it shouldn't be done.
"It shows that I am doing a good job. I stayed professional and focused on my performances with Monaco. When Barca arrived, I took it as a plus, as a bonus."
The 2019-20 Ligue 1 season has not been Monaco's best. After 28 games, the 2016-17 champions sit ninth:
👀📈📉
Here's how the league table looks after Matchday 28!
It is, however, a vast improvement on last term, when they finished 17th, only narrowly avoiding relegation to Ligue 2.
Ben Yedder has played a key role in ensuring Monaco avoided being dragged into a relegation battle again. In 26 league appearances this term, he has equalled last season's tally of 18 goals, three more than top-scorer Radamel Falcao netted for Monaco last term.
As a result, Ben Yedder sits atop the 2019-20 Ligue 1 scoring charts alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe. Unlike Mbappe, though, the 29-year-old does not have a host of other players around him regularly finding the net.
PSG have two other players who have reached double figures in Ligue 1 this season—Neymar has 13 goals, and Mauro Icardi 12—and Mbappe's 18 goals account for 24 per cent of the defending champions' overall tally.
Ben Yedder, meanwhile, has scored 41 per cent of Monaco's league goals this term. It is no surprise, then, that Barca have been tracking him, as he has shown himself to be a top-class striker over the last two seasons.
Tiemoue Bakayoko Says Loan Return to Monaco from Chelsea Not 'A Step Back'
Sep 4, 2019
Monaco's French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko poses with his jersey after a press conference held for his presentation in La Turbie, near Monaco on September 3, 2019. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Tiemoue Bakayoko said he has not taken a "step back" by returning to Monaco from Chelsea this summer.
Bakayoko, who joined the Blues from the Ligue 1 club in 2017 for £40 million, went back to the Stade Louis II on a one-year loan before the transfer window shut.
"There was a good opportunity to come back here in a very good project.
"Lots of people will perhaps say that I am taking a step back by coming to Monaco, but I see it differently.
"My two experiences abroad allowed me to play a lot, contrary to what a lot of people have said. My season in Milan brought me a lot in terms of new avenues of football and professionalism. I have taken a lot of positive things away from it."
The Frenchman arrived at Stamford Bridge having played a key role in Monaco beating Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title in the 2016-17 campaign.
A combative presence in the centre of the pitch, he used his physicality to dominate games, and his defensive instincts offered a great deal of protection to Monaco's back line:
Tiemoué Bakayoko's 2016/17 Ligue 1 season by numbers:
87% pass accuracy 62 aerial duels won 57 tackles won 57 take-ons 56 interceptions
He struggled to adapt to the Premier League, though, and spent last season on loan with AC Milan.
Although he needed a little time to adjust in Serie A, Bakayoko found his feet with the Rossoneri and began to display the kind of form Chelsea wanted from him at Stamford Bridge.
However, he reportedly jeopardised his chances of remaining at the San Siro on a permanent basis after turning up late to a training session.
The 25-year-old then reportedly appeared to tell then-manager Gennaro Gattuso to "f--k off" in an argument on the bench and had to deny that he refused to play in their 2-1 win over Bologna on May 6.
Bakayoko returned to Chelsea, but as Goal's Nizaar Kinsella observed, he was evidently lacking confidence in pre-season:
Bakayoko's performance has been a little sad to watch. He isn't even doing the basics right. It is hard to see a £40m midfielder in there. #CFC#REACHE
He'll hope a return to Monaco can help reignite his career, because he has shown he can be an outstanding asset when he's on form.
There may be nothing he can do to salvage a future at Chelsea, however, because if he does get back to his best, it's possible they will want to strike while the iron is hot and sell him.
Thierry Henry: 'I Believe I Can Be a Successful Coach' After Monaco Sacking
Aug 21, 2019
Monaco's French coach Thierry Henry walks prior to the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Nice (OGCN) on January 16, 2019 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Thierry Henry's first attempt at being a manager didn't go well, but the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker isn't letting being sacked after three months deter him from wanting to return to a dugout in the near future.
Henry told Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph (h/t Eurosport's Michael Hincks): "Call me crazy if you want, but I love football and I believe I can be a successful coach."
Those are bold words from a man who won just five of 20 matches across all competitions during a brief and ill-fated spell with Monaco that came to an end earlier this year.
Henry was shown the door with the Ligue 1 club languishing in the relegation zone, and the man he replaced, Leonardo Jardim, was hastily welcomed back.
Henry is honest about how things have gone for him so far in his quest to make the grade as a manager, yet he's also defiant about what those early setbacks say about his potential to be a success: "I'm not thinking about the pain, I'm not thinking about failure. I don't like easy. I like to lead, and it's on me to make it happen."
Calling the process an "evolution," Henry likened his journey to the similar challenges of proving himself as a player at Arsenal, then as an assistant coach with the Belgium national team when working with Roberto Martinez.
Even though it's a challenge he's yet to master, the Frenchman noted he hasn't been short of offers: "My phone didn't ring for four months after I left Monaco, and then all of a sudden I got five calls. Some were not what I was looking for and some were as a number two. Very interesting offers, but I can't leave my staff behind."
Henry is clear about where his coaching path must take him next: "I won't do a number two job because I want to be a number one."
Garnering enough of a club's trust to be given another hot seat won't be easy after the way things quickly unravelled in Monaco.
Henry rose to prominence as a young player who graduated from the Monaco academy on the watch of then-manager Arsene Wenger, who would later bring him to north London to join the Gunners.
Happy 42nd birthday to Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer and the only man to score 20+ goals and provide 20+ assists in a single Premier League season.
However, Henry's experiences building his own squad at the Stade Louis II proved far tougher. He failed to change the team's shape and playing style sufficiently for the better.
Henry's arrival initially helped Monaco attract some big names, notably his former Arsenal teammate Cesc Fabregas. Yet problems relating to other players, as well as the media, served to doom Henry.
BBC Radio 5 live's Julien Laurens told BBC Sport's David Ornstein how Henry banished some senior stars to the reserve squad and argued with certain journalists.
Meanwhile Adam White and Eric Devin of Get French Football News wrote in the Guardian how Henry's "lack of maturity," "negative formations" and "haughty attitude toward the players" were the core reasons for his undoing and eventual dismissal.
The most unsavoury incident of Henry's time in charge came when he apologised after verbally abusing Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala during a 5-1 defeat.
While Henry's tenure was a disappointment, Monaco haven't improved significantly without him, with the club sitting bottom of the French top flight after two games this season.
Jeremy Smith of French Football Weekly cited the work of writer Romain Molina explaining some of the things that went against Henry:
Re Henry, another great @Romain_Molina vid following Henry's sacking - https://t.co/78R5Xdpy48 Saying that player-wise it was Glik and esp Subasic and Jemerson who did all they could to get rid of Henry and that (contrary to some reports) Falcao didn't have a problem with him.
Passi also told some players who weren't playing "if I were coach I'd pick you". No coincidence players Henry gave chances to (eg both Badiashiles) played well. So yes, definite Henry faults - but very much undermined and betrayed too.
Finding a better situation is one thing, but fixing issues with communication is also an obvious priority for Henry. So is getting more from talented players. Even though Monaco were beset by injuries, a squad still featuring midfielders as creative as Fabregas and Youri Tielemans rarely played a stylish and expansive game.
Those problems were surprising considering the flair Henry displayed during his playing days. He's also worked with Wenger and Martinez, two of the most faithful adherents to an attacking brand of football.
If Henry gets another chance, the 42-year-old must prove he can bury his ego and relate effectively to different personalities. He'll also need to show an identity as a manager in terms of playing style, one either tied to pragmatism or the excitement of his peak goalscoring days on the pitch.
Monaco Sign Wissam Ben Yedder from Sevilla Amid Manchester United Rumours
Aug 14, 2019
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Wissam Ben Yedder of Sevilla FC reacts during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Athletic Club at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)
The Ligue 1 club confirmed the Frenchman's arrival on a five-year contract on Wednesday via their official Twitter account.
Per Goal'sTom Maston, Monaco paid his €40 million (£37.1 million) buyout clause to secure his services.
In June, Carlos Real of Sevilla news outlet La Colina de Nervion (h/t Jack Otway of the Express) reported United had agreed personal terms with the striker.
However, despite selling Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, the Premier League's transfer deadline passed last Thursday without the Red Devils having brought in Ben Yedder or another forward to replace the Belgian.
The 29-year-old was a prolific goalscorer for Sevilla:
He spent three strong seasons with Sevilla, the most recent of which was his most productive. Ben Yedder bagged 30 goals in all competitions in the 2018-19 campaign, along with 11 assists.
As football statistician Dave O'Brien demonstrated, he offered plenty against Sevilla's toughest opponents:
Wissam Ben Yedder in La Liga last season:
• directly involved in 7 goals vs. the top four (⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️)
• directly involved in 0.8 goals per game across the season
Monaco finished 17th in Ligue 1 last season, avoiding the relegation play-offs by just two points.
They scored just 38 goals, too, so Ben Yedder's arrival should make them much more potent in the final third and improve their prospects of avoiding a relegation battle this season.
As for United, with no replacement for Lukaku they'll be relying on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to lead the line.
Radamel Falcao Wants to Become Baseball Player Following Football Career
Mar 12, 2019
Monaco's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco (ASM) and FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FCGB) on March 9, 2019 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Monaco forward Radamel Falcao has said he will aim to become a professional baseball player when he ends his football career.
At his peak, the Colombia forward was considered one of the best strikers in the world. While he's a little past his best at 33, he is still scoring goals regularly in French football, finding the net 12 times in 25 Ligue 1 appearances for a struggling Monaco side this season.
Speaking to France Football about his career after football, Falcao said he would try his hand at changing sports, noting he'd been inspired by Michael Jordan's switch from basketball to baseball, per ESPN.com:
"I love baseball. When I was young in Venezuela where I grew up, I used to play the sport at a very high level. I often speak about it with my wife. I believe that when I finish my footballing career, I'll try out as a professional baseball player. ...
"Like Jordan, even if he was a basketball player who wasn't able to play in the top leagues at the highest level. I want to become the first to achieve that!"
Jordan, regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time, tried his hand at baseball in 1994 and 1995 before returning to the NBA.
Falcao's focus this season will still be on Monaco, as the team remain in a battle to stay afloat in the top flight.
Following the departure of Thierry Henry as coach and the reappointment of Leonardo Jardim, the team's fortunes have improved on the domestic front. Monaco are now on a six-game run without losing and have put six points between themselves and Dijon, who are languishing in 18th place with a game in hand.
Despite the struggles Henry endured during his time with the principality club, Falcao has backed him to be a successful boss in the future, per French football journalist Jeremy Smith:
Falcao on Thierry Henry's time as Monaco coach: As with everything, you need experience and time. Titi arrived at a difficult moment, with a team that had been struggling all season, with lots of comings and goings. It takes time to acclimatise...
One of the big positives for Monaco as of late has been the improved form of Falcao. The veteran scored twice away at Angers when his team were two goals down, earning a 2-2 draw, and a week later he opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Bordeaux.
It's shown that Falcao still has a lot to offer at a high level in football, albeit he is no longer the force he once was. As a result, it may be a while yet before we see him don a baseball uniform.
Youri Tielemans Completes Leicester City Loan Move from AS Monaco
Jan 31, 2019
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 13: Youri Tielemans of Monaco during the french Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Monaco at Stade Velodrome on January 13, 2019 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Leicester City have completed a loan move for AS Monaco starlet Youri Tielemans, handing the talented youngster an opportunity to get his career back on track in the Premier League.
The Foxes confirmed the player's arrival on their official Twitter account on Thursday.
As explained by HLN's Kristof Terreur, Tielemans has been a regular for Monaco this season, but when Leonardo Jardim replaced Thierry Henry as manager his fate was sealed. The two fell out during Jardim's first stint in charge:
Youri Tielemans has played almost every game for Monaco this season, but the sacking of Thierry Henry changed everything. The midfielder and old/new coach Leonardo Jardim have a bumpy relationship. Monaco made him immediately available for loan after Jardim appointment. #lcfc
The 21-year-old emerged as a potential star at Anderlecht as a product of their vaunted academy that has also produced the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Vincent Kompany. At the age of 16 he became the youngest Belgian to debut in the UEFA Champions League, and made his national team debut in 2016.
He joined Monaco in 2017 amid speculation linking him to bigger clubs. He later explained why he snubbed Arsenal for the French club, pointing at a likely lack of playing time, per Marc Isaacs at the Mirror.
At the time it was seen as a wise decision, as Monaco had a superb track record of developing talent. The 2016-17 Ligue 1 champions have fallen on hard times of late, however, and Tielemans' development has stalled amid the club's struggles.
That's what makes his switch to Leicester so intriguing; at just 21 years of age he's still bursting with potential and already has more than enough experience to make an instant impact for the Foxes.
If Jardim stays in charge at Monaco, Tielemans is all but assured to leave the club for good in the summer. Even if a new manager takes control of the team, the Belgian midfielder could end his time in France after a disappointing 18 months.
If his stint with the Foxes goes well he could earn himself a transfer to a top club in the summer. He certainly has the talent to cut it at the highest level, but he has to make good on this opportunity.
Thierry Henry Sacked as Monaco Manager; Leonardo Jardim to Return to Club
Jan 25, 2019
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 13: Coach of Monaco Thierry Henry during the french Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Monaco at Stade Velodrome on January 13, 2019 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Monaco announced on Friday that Thierry Henry had been sacked as manager and that former boss Leonardo Jardim had replaced the Frenchman at the helm of the Ligue 1 side.
The club said in the statement:
"AS Monaco announces the return of Leonardo Jardim to the position of AS Monaco manager.
"Leonardo Jardim has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Club and, together with his technical staff, will take up his duties as of Sunday.
"This Friday, the club officially terminated the employment of Thierry Henry.
"Franck Passi, who led the training session this afternoon, will be in charge of the team for the upcoming match against Dijon."
Henry was suspended on Thursday, with Monaco just a point and a place off the bottom of Ligue 1 after 21 games.
The former Arsenal striker took charge in October after Jardim was sacked, but the team won only five of his 20 matches in charge.
Monaco were hammered 5-1 by Strasbourg in the league on Saturday and were then knocked out of the Coupe de France on Tuesday by second-division side Metz.
Henry also found himself embroiled in controversy for a "foul-mouthed rant" aimed at Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala, per Goal's Dom Farrell.
Henry said it was with "great sadness" that he left Monaco in a post on Twitter:
Monaco will hope Jardim can turn around their season and avoid relegation during his second spell.
The 44-year-old won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco in 2017 but then saw his team dismantled, as Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, Thomas Lemar, Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko all departed.
Monaco have invested in the January transfer window, bringing in Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea, Naldo from Schalke and Fode Toure from Lille.
The team face a crucial game at fellow strugglers on Dijon on Saturday. Victory would see them move level on points with Antoine Kombouare's men.
Monaco then have a home fixture against Toulouse, which is likely to be Jardim's first game back in charge of the club.
Thierry Henry Suspended by Monaco Amid Rumours About Manager's Future
Jan 24, 2019
Monaco's French coach Thierry Henry walks prior to the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Nice (OGCN) on January 16, 2019 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
AS Monaco manager Thierry Henry has been suspended by the club until further notice amid speculation regarding his future at the helm.
Former Monaco player Henry was appointed as successor to sacked Leonardo Jardim on October 18, but the club has won only five of their 20 matches since he took over.
The Ligue 1 outfit published a statement on Thursday, via reporter Jonathan Johnson:
OFFICIAL: Thierry Henry suspended as Monaco coach until final decision is made on his future. #ASMhttps://t.co/diUCLyuII8
Monaco are currently 19th in Ligue 1 and only one point ahead of Guingamp in last place.
The report added assistant Franck Passi will take charge of Friday's training session, with the club set to face 18th-placed Dijon in a crucial fixture on Saturday.
Only two of Henry's five wins at Monaco—including a penalty shootout victory over Rennes—have come in Ligue 1. His side were also knocked out of the Coupe de France on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat at home to second-division outfit Metz.
That result followed Saturday's 5-1 loss at home to Strasbourg in the league, a performance that left Bleacher Report's Dean Jones feeling underwhelmed:
Watched Monaco's home defeat v Strasbourg and it was a complete disaster. Lots went against them and Henry had no answers. His central midfield of Tielemans and Fabregas was a shambles.
The French Riviera club are without a win in their last four across all competitions. Their record in Ligue 1 makes for even worse reading, with the club having lost three and drawn two of their last five league outings.
TalkSportreported Monaco's board was considering re-hiring Jardim to replace Henry after a little more than three months at the Stade Louis II. Henry spoke to the media about his future after Saturday's hammering by Strasbourg's hands:
"My future? Owners would decide when they need to decide. I am more worried for Monaco's future. I already said that.
"I will repeat. No need to always ask the same question, I would answer the same thing—Atletico Madrid have been relegated in the '90s with stronger players than us. [Real] Zaragoza as well more recently as you know. I could talk about all the leagues.
"We are in this situation, even if it was Coupe de France and now we are out, but this weekend against Dijon in Ligue 1 it's going to be war."
It now looks as though Henry may no longer be the man at the helm for that fixture at the Stade Gaston-Gerard.
Henry also hit the headlines recently after he was picked up by cameras mouthing obscenities directed at Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala during the defeat to Strasbourg. He felt Lala was time-wasting with a throw-in and was seen saying a phrase that translates to "Your grandmother's a w---e," per Goal'sDom Farrell.
Despite this being his first senior managerial role, the former Belgium assistant coach has also reportedly taken drastic measures in motivating his squad, per Get French Football News:
Breaking | AS Monaco manager Thierry Henry announces that he has banished “too many to name” individuals from the 1st team to the reserves in a cull against “players who are only thinking about their own futures” in a bid to turn around the club’s situation.
Henry graduated from Monaco's academy in 1994 and spent five years with the club before leaving for Juventus, but his managerial stay could be over after less than half a season.
Thierry Henry Apologises for NSFW Outburst During Monaco's Defeat to Strasbourg
Jan 20, 2019
Monaco's French coach Thierry Henry walks prior to the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Nice (OGCN) on January 16, 2019 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Thierry Henry apologised for his profane rant at the expense of Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala during Monaco's 5-1 Ligue 1 defeat Saturday, explaining what prompted it.
The former Arsenal star was caught by TV cameras swearing at the defender, using an insult that can be translated as "grandson of a b---h" or "your grandmother's a whore," per Goal's Dom Farrell.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 13: Coach of Monaco Thierry Henry and his assistant-coach Franck Passi (left) during the french Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Monaco at Stade Velodrome on January 13, 2019 in Marseille, France. (Photo
After the contest, Henry said Lala's time-wasting is what caused him to lash out, but he also apologised and said he regretted it:
"I said it needed to stop, it was too much.
"We are fighting against everything. If there is that as well...it needs to stop.
"You don't see everything that happens on the sidelines. At the moment, the fourth official told the referee four times there had been a foul but he was ignored. It's tiring.
"It's not the first time; sometimes I do it in English. It's a reaction and I regret it. I'm only human. It was a combination of many things."
As shared by Goal's Robin Bairner, it wasn't Henry's only controversial moment:
Thierry Henry's Saturday night:
😯 Told Strasbourg player Kenny Lala his grandma's a whore 😡 Launched an attack on VAR 🤦🏻♂️ Saw Monaco lose 5-1 at home to Strasbourg. pic.twitter.com/tWgJm8LrM1
ESPN FC shared his rant about the video assistant replay system after an apparent glitch and what he deemed should have been a penalty decision on Rony Lopes:
Thierry Henry was furious about a VAR malfunction during Monaco's 5-1 home defeat to Strasbourg. pic.twitter.com/ouodtuVldM
Saturday's 5-1 defeat at home was the latest in a line of disappointing results for Monaco. Each team had a man sent off, with January signing Naldo lasting just seven minutes for the hosts before VAR handed him a straight red card.
Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas also had a horror outing, with an error leading to a Strasbourg goal. It was only his second match in Ligue 1:
Cesc Fabregas' home debut for Monaco by numbers:
Pass Accuracy - 78.9% Error leading to goal - 1 Yellow card - 1 Rating - 4.94
The loss left Monaco in second-to-last place with the threat of relegation becoming ever more real. The 2016-17 champions are winless in their last five outings in the competition and have won just three matches all season.
Monaco have already added several players in January in an attempt to turn the tide, but Saturday's outing showed there's plenty of work to be done.
Henry had success as an assistant with Belgium, but his first head coaching gig has not gone according to plan. Per Farrell, his spell with Monaco could be cut short if the club's struggles continue.
Monaco will face Dijon in their next Ligue 1 outing on Saturday.
