Lyon's Tanguy Ndombele Hints at Summer Exit Amid Manchester United, City Rumours
Jun 3, 2019
Lyon's French forward Tanguy NDombele Alvaro celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Nimes Olympique and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at the Costieres stadium in Nimes, on May 24, 2019. (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo credit should read PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images)
Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has given hope to reported suitors Manchester United and Manchester City after hinting he might not remain with the Ligue 1 club beyond this summer.
Ndombele, 22, has been linked with both Premier League clubs this season and told Le Progres(h/t Richard Fay of the Manchester Evening News) he's yet to make a final decision on whether he'll stay at Lyon.
He said: "As I told my agents and the club, I'm not fixed yet, I did not make a decision. Of course I could see myself staying with Lyon, the club will be in the Champions League. But I've not asked the question to stay or not, and I've not spoken with the new staff."
Bruno Genesio stepped down as Lyon manager at the end of the season and was replaced by former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho, per Marca. In another backroom change, ex-Lyon fan favourite Juninho Pernambucano has taken over as sporting director.
It could be telling that the player is yet to make contact with the new figures in charge, who will surely want to keep hold of Ndombele ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League.
Ndombele played 66 minutes of France's 2-0 friendly win over Bolivia on Sunday in just his second senior international start. The playmaker made his national team debut in October 2018 and is already making his mark for Les Bleus:
I actually quite enjoyed that France performance. Impressive from Lemar and Digne. Ndombele did what was asked of him. Thauvin was actually not bad. Ben Yedder had a number of efforts and was unlucky not to score. Dubois had a relaxed debut. Griezmann essential.
United have perhaps the most motivation to sign the creative talent considering Ander Herrera will leave on a free this summer and could be joined by Juan Mata, whose contract is set to expire this month.
There's also speculation around the future of Ndombele's France team-mate Paul Pogba, per Dan O'Toole of the M.E.N., and he could be a key tool in attracting his countryman to Old Trafford.
However, bitter rivals City are just coming off their second successive Premier League title win and look the more appealing destination, particularly as United will be in the UEFA Europa League next term.
City may need to replace Ilkay Gundogan—whose contract expires in June 2020—in the foreseeable future. However, TalkSport reported he'll be allowed to run down his deal and leave for free next year rather than be sold this summer.
Ndombele may be on the verge of a Lyon exit, but the player didn't allow standards to drop in what could have been his send-off appearance for the club. He recently scored the winner in the 3-2 triumph against Nimes in their last Ligue 1 match of the season as Lyon secured a third-place finish.
Statman Dave analysed his numbers from that result and illustrated the balance Ndombele possesses:
Tanguy Ndombélé’s game by numbers vs. Nîmes:
7 ball recoveries 6 successful take-ons 3 chances created 3 tackles won 1 goal
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas previously indicated he wouldn't have an issue selling the player to French rivals Paris Saint-Germain should they meet his valuation, per Fay's report:
"I am in negotiations with the biggest European clubs, and I revived the PSG talks myself to tell them to make sure not to feel excluded.
"I thought it was time to give PSG direction because PSG will gain more to use French clubs.
"If PSG aligns with the proposals we have and Tanguy agrees, obviously it would be nice if he goes to PSG."
Ndombele has four years remaining on his Lyon contract and is one of the team's most valued stars, but the player hasn't discouraged the likes of United and City from stepping up their alleged interest.
Memphis Depay Talks Possible Lyon Exit, Says Mentality at Club 'Not Good'
May 28, 2019
Lyon's Dutch forward Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Angers (SCO) on April 19, 2019, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, central-eastern France. (Photo by ROMAIN LAFABREGUE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROMAIN LAFABREGUE/AFP/Getty Images)
Lyon forward Memphis Depay has said he doesn't want to stay at the club "forever" following recent speculation over his future and has criticised the mindset of some of his current team-mates.
Lyon finished in third place in Ligue 1 this season despite some inconsistent spells, securing their place in the UEFA Champions League for next term. Depay, in his second full season with the French outfit, enjoyed another productive campaign, providing an attacking spark in the final third.
Since the end of the season, rumours have surfaced about a possible transfer for the Holland international and speaking to AD (h/t AS), Depay said he has ambitions to play for an elite club.
"I have always been frank about my club Lyon," he noted. "About not seeing the club as my end station. Is there anything strange about that? It would only be strange if, at the age of 25, I would say that I want to play with Lyon forever. Other football players may not dare say anything, but I am always honest about my ambitions."
The Dutchman has established himself as a crucial player for Lyon, showcasing the ability to create and score goals regularly in French football's top flight, per Squawka Football:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 19, 2019
Depay was also critical of the attitude of some of his team-mates at club level, citing the difference in approach when he was with the national team:
"I set the bar high in everything I do. That is why this season I was annoyed by how people sometimes trained at Lyon. Not because the players are not good, but because the mentality was not good.
"Exercises are always performed at the highest possible level with the Dutch national team, but with my club this wasn't always the case this season. I couldn't handle that well, but that doesn't mean I'm leaving Lyon, right?"
Depay also said talk of a summer transfer being inevitable is premature and that he will "give everything" to Lyon while he remains with the team. As relayed by the MailOnline, some social media activity from the 25-year-old only fuelled rumours about a departure:
While the former Manchester United man held little back when talking about his team-mates this season, French football journalist Jeremy Smith thinks Depay has been hypocritical:
Memphis Depay has said in an interview of his Lyon team-mates "I place the bar very high in all that I do. That's why I was annoyed by how they trained. The mentality wasn't great". The words pot and kettle spring to mind...
After struggling to make an impression during his time at Old Trafford, some of European football's elite sides may think twice about making a move for Depay. While the talent is unquestionably there, lapses in concentration and inconsistency still blight his game.
Comments like the ones noted would be a concern to coaches too. Although Depay clearly has high standards and demands those are met by his team-mates, publicly calling out other Lyon players is unlikely to cultivate a harmonious atmosphere in the dressing room.
Lyon's Houssem Aouar Talks Up Pep Guardiola Amid Manchester City Rumours
May 26, 2019
LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 19: Houssem Aouar of Olympique Lyon controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona at Groupama Stadium on February 19, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has talked up Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola amid speculation he could join the Premier League champions during the summer transfer window.
Aouar was asked by Canal Plus (h/t Goal's Ryan Benson) if he would be interested in playing for the Citizens and made it clear how highly he rated the club's manager:
"You wouldn't like to go to City? It is a great European club and all players have this urge to play for the biggest European clubs, which in addition is led by Guardiola, who for me is a reference as a coach. Guardiola has seen everything before. It is extremely good to play his teams and that's what I like, his way of seeing football."
However, Aouar also added he is "still under contract with Lyon" and wants to discuss the role he will have after the end of the season.
The Lyon midfielder is one of four players Manchester City are considering bringing to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, according to Jack Gaughan at the Daily Mail. They're also targeting Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic and Ajax captain Matthijs De Ligt.
Aouar has come up through the academy at Lyon and was handed the iconic No. 8 shirt while just 19. The number was previously worn by Juninho Pernambucano, who has returned to the club as sporting director:
You didn't think we'd mention Juninho Pernambucano without one of his free-kicks, did you? 🚀https://t.co/ahmaDTyhQA
The 20-year-old is an exciting prospect, capable of playing in a variety of roles in midfield. His impressive performances this season saw him nominated for the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award:
Aouar was part of the Lyon side that beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad and drew 2-2 at home in the group stages of this season's Champions League.
French football writer Matt Spiro explained after the draw in France why Guardiola may be tempted to land the youngster:
I’d be amazed if Guardiola isn’t a huge Houssem Aouar fan. There’s more than a bit of Iniesta in him and he’s looking the part again tonight
Meanwhile, Goal's Robin Bairner says Manchester City have been interested in the midfielder for some time:
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar says he's ready for a leadership role at the club but says he'd love to work under Pep Guardiola, whose Man City side have been scouting him on a long-term basis. (Canal+)
Aouar is certainly one of the most exciting young midfielders in France, and it won't be surprising to see clubs express an interest in him this summer.
His latest comments suggest that if Manchester City did come calling, it may not take much to tempt him into joining Guardiola's treble-winning team.
Ada Hegerberg Leads Lyon Past Barcelona to 4th Straight Champions League Title
May 18, 2019
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - MAY 18: Ada Hegerberg of Olympique Lyonnais #14 celebrates her goal with Amel Majri of Olympique Lyonnais (r2) and Jessica Fishlock of Olympique Lyonnais #24 during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona at Ferencvaros Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)
Ada Hegerberg bagged a hat-trick in a dominant 4-1 win for Lyon over Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League final on Saturday to seal their fourth straight European title and their third treble in the last four years.
Dzsenifer Marozsan, playing in her birthplace of Budapest, opened the scoring less than five minutes into the contest before Hegerberg added three goals of her own to make it 4-0 with just 30 minutes played.
The Catalans found a late consolation goal through Asisat Oshoala.
The first real chance of the match fell to the underdogs, as England international Toni Duggan miscued a shot from a promising position and fired wide.
Lyon soon took control of proceedings, however, and grabbed the lead when local favourite Marozsan tapped home after great work from Shanice van de Sanden, drawing huge cheers from the Hungarian crowd:
It was the first goal Barcelona conceded in over 660 Champions League minutes, a record which had previously suggested Lyon may struggle to break the Catalan side down. However, Lyon mustered chance after chance, and sports writer Aaron West feared for Barcelona:
Van de Sanden proved a nightmare to defend, and she once again provided a chance on a plate for Women's Ballon d'Or holder Hegerberg to make it 2-0:
GOAL, @OLFeminin! Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg notches another goal, only 15 minutes in, to give Lyon a doubled-lead. Also, this is the second assist from Shanice van de Sanden. #OLFCB | 2-0 | #UWCLFinalpic.twitter.com/ZtJPm5jNT0
The Blaugrana looked shell-shocked, and Lyon grabbed a third before the 20-minute mark. Hegerberg again converted, with the cross into the box coming from the left side this time:
GOAL, @OLFeminin! Ada Hegerberg once again! She's already got a brace and it's barely been 20 minutes. Lyon is stomping over Barcelona, cruising their way to a fourth-consecutive title. Still plenty of time. #UWCLFinal#OLFCB | 3-0 pic.twitter.com/norzSej7N9
Barcelona's defence came into the contest with a fierce reputation, but they didn't live up to it in the final, as noted by Bleacher Report's Callum Mackenzie:
Barcelona were able to stop the bleeding until the half-time whistle, but down four goals, their situation seemed hopeless as they headed for the dressing room.
The Spaniards briefly took control of possession early in the second half, but before long, Lyon started to push for goals again. Marozsan and Eugenie Le Sommer went close, but Barcelona avoided the mistakes that doomed them in the first half.
The pace of the contest dropped as the final whistle drew near, with substitute Oshoala giving the Blaugrana fans something to celebrate in the dying embers.
Nabil Fekir's Agent Confirms Split, Says Big Transfer Will Be 'Very Difficult'
Apr 19, 2019
Lyon's French midfielder Nabil Fekir celebrates after Lyon won the French L1 football match Stade Rennais vs Olympique Lyonnais (OL), on March 29, 2019 at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images)
The agent of Nabil Fekir has confirmed he has parted ways with the Lyon attacker and predicted it will be "very difficult" for the player to join one of Europe's elite clubs.
Jean-Pierre Bernes was Fekir's representative until he split from the 25-year-old this week, and he told Europe1 (h/t Sky Sports) the Frenchman could struggle to execute a move to "one of the top 10 clubs":
"I terminated the contract on (Thursday). It was a choice (Fekir) took. He will certainly look for another agent.
"Like all human relationships, from time to time you can have a difference of opinion on someone's future or their behaviour.
"To get into one of the top 10 clubs is very difficult, you must have an approach. You must not place too much importance on the role of an agent. When you have a big player and a big club wants him, it is the club who come to see you. You are not soliciting interest."
Lyon look like they'll face a fight to keep hold of Fekir this summer, at which point the player will have only one year remaining on his contract.
AFP journalist Illtud W. Dafydd recently reported on a pair of training ground fights at Lyon, at least one of which involved Fekir and resulted in him being dropped for the recent 2-1 defeat to Nantes:
Canal+ say Lyon's Nabil Fekir, Mephis Depay, Marcelo and Ferland Mendy were involved in two training ground fights yesterday
The attacking midfielder was since restored to Lyon's XI for Friday's 2-1 win over Angers, though the indecision at Groupama Stadium looks like it will nevertheless lead to a parting of ways.
There's a question as to which club will take the plunge and invest in his talent, however, after Liverpool came close last summer before pulling out of the deal due to an old knee injury.
Bernes recently spoke to L'Equipe (h/t Liverpool Echo's James Pearce) and confirmed the knee was a factor in the collapse, elaborating on just how far the deal had progressed, per Anfield HQ:
Perhaps the player's now-former agent feels that injury will cause other big clubs to follow suit and not take a chance on Fekir. Lyon seem unlikely to raise the same selling fee for the player they might have when interest appeared higher in the summer of 2018.
Fekir's relationship with his squad has become a topic of discussion of late, and sportswriter Jeremy Smith recently detailed the fractious setting at the club:
Fekir, who in a presser this week said of the team "we're not exactly best friends but the atmosphere is fine" sticks more and more to his little brother in the changing room. Teammates have railed against Marcelo's "immature" attitude.
Manager Bruno Genesio recently confirmed he'll leave the club at the end of this season, citing a "negative environment" at the Groupama. Goal's Joe Wright wrote Jose Mourinho is in contention to replace him, and the right change of tactician could convince Fekir to extend his stay rather than chase a summer exit.
Lyon would likely rather sell the player than risk entering 2019-20 with a disgruntled Fekir who could sign a pre-contract agreement with any team outside France as of January next year.
36 Hours in Lyon: Fernando Perez Watches Lyon vs. Barcelona, Sees Fireworks
Mar 12, 2019
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Fernando Perez is your host for a trip to the Champions League city of Lyon.
Here's his guide to where to eat, drink and see the city—as well as a firsthand view of the Champions League last-16 clash between Lyon and Barcelona.
Out Here with Fernando: Inside Lyon's Talent Factory
Feb 19, 2019
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Lyon have helped launch the careers of the likes of Anthony Martial, Alexandre Lacazette, Samuel Umtiti and Karim Benzema.
What is the secret of their success? We sent Fernando Perez to Lyon to find out.
The Talent Factory: How Lyon Built a Production Line for World-Class Talent
Feb 19, 2019
You might never have heard of Gerard Bonneau, but chances are you'll be familiar with his work.
Perhaps you're a Manchester United fan who has thrilled at the sight of Anthony Martial barrelling towards an opposition full-back from the left-hand touchline. Or perhaps you're an Arsenal fan who has punched the air in delight after watching Alexandre Lacazette crisply strike a shot past a stricken goalkeeper.
Maybe you're a Barcelona supporter who has applauded in admiration after seeing Samuel Umtiti step out of defence and drill a 60-yard pass into the feet of a team-mate. Or maybe you're a Real Madrid fan who has leaped from your seat to celebrate a Karim Benzema goal.
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Even if you support none of those clubs, if you have spent any time watching European football over the last 20 years, you will have watched a player who was given a leg up by Bonneau.
As the head of youth recruitment at Lyon from 2003 to 2017, he is partly responsible for having launched the careers of a galaxy of talent that includes Martial, Lacazette, Umtiti, Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa, Clement Grenier, Maxime Gonalons, Rachid Ghezzal, Corentin Tolisso, Houssem Aouar and current captain Nabil Fekir (to name but 11). Few other youth recruiters in the modern game can boast such a glittering legacy.
"I just enjoyed recruiting, going out and finding talented players," Bonneau told Bleacher Report. "I want to be humble about it, but it's true I had some success."
Bonneau's work, and that of his colleagues, has helped to turn Lyon's youth academy into one of the most prolific talent-production lines in world football. A study released by the CIES Football Observatory last October found that Lyon have produced the second-highest number of players currently playing in one of Europe's top five leagues, behind only Real Madrid. It is a fitting achievement for a club whose nickname, Les Gones, is a local expression meaning "The Kids."
Third in the CIES rankings were Barcelona, who visit Lyon's Groupama Stadium on Tuesday in the Champions League last 16.
At Lyon's estimation, 8-12 percent of the players in each age group who come through their youth system go on to sign professional contracts, either at the club or elsewhere, compared to an average of 5-6 percent in the rest of France. It is the result of diligent scouting, expert coaching, sensitive pastoral care and unwavering financial support for youth development, but it is also a matter of principle.
"Lyon have a culture of faith in young players," Jean-Francois Vulliez, the current head of the Lyon academy, said. "It's part of the club's DNA."
The Professional Football Charter of 1973 obliged French professional teams to create youth training centres, and Lyon were the first club to heed the call. Former OL players Jose Broissart and the late Alain Thiry laid the foundations for the academy of today, and the 64-year-old Bonneau acknowledges his debt to both men, saying they gave him an "education of the very highest level."
The spur for Lyon's emergence as a force in the field of youth development was local businessman Jean-Michel Aulas' arrival as president in June 1987.
With Lyon drifting in France's second tier, the ambitious Aulas turned to two of the club's former players, appointing Raymond Domenech as head coach and Bernard Lacombe as sporting director. Recognising the talent in Lyon's youth ranks, Domenech placed his faith in homegrown players such as Remi Garde, Bruno Genesio and Bruno N'Gotty, who led OL to promotion in 1989. Lyon have remained in Ligue 1 ever since.
(Garde and Genesio later joined Lyon's back-room staff and would each go on to become the head coach. Garde, a former Arsenal midfielder, was in charge between 2011 and 2014, while Genesio took the reins in December 2015 and will be in the dugout for Barca's visit on Tuesday. As coaches, both Garde and Genesio stayed true to the traditions that had enabled them to become first-team players under Domenech, blooding young players at every opportunity.)
Academy graduate Florian Maurice starred up front for OL in the 1990s and locally born winger Sidney Govou ensured there was a homegrown presence in Lyon's first XI throughout the club's period of dominance in the 2000s, when they won an unprecedented seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles. When Lyon last won the title, in 2007-08, a 100 percent homemade front three of Govou, Benzema and Ben Arfa spearheaded the team.
After spending big on players like Lisandro Lopez and Yoann Gourcuff in an ultimately fruitless bid to close the gap on Europe's leading clubs, Lyon have managed to remain competitive in Ligue 1 in recent seasons largely thanks to the contributions of homegrown players such as Gonalons, Umtiti, Tolisso, Lacazette and Fekir.
Many of those players have since left, often for significant sums of money, but when Lyon line up against Barcelona, midfielder Aouar and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes will fly the flag for the academy, with the suspended Fekir watching on from the stands.
"Our youth players have always played," Bonneau said. "Even when we had the great team [of the 2000s], we left room for the really, really good young players like Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa.
"And every time the club's been in a bit of trouble, there's always been a bit of youthfulness on hand to save it."
Lyon have enjoyed particular success in the production of attacking players, with Fekir, the club's current No. 10, following in the footsteps of such figures as Lacombe, Maurice, Ludovic Giuly, Govou, Benzema, Ben Arfa and Loic Remy. Armand Garrido, Lyon's former under-17s coach, believes it is a consequence of the club's long-held commitment to attacking football.
"We produce more attacking players than defenders," he told Bleacher Report during an interview at the Groupama OL Academy in Meyzieu, nine miles east of Lyon city centre.
"We're more focused on attacking football than the defensive aspect. We've always tried to score goals rather than not let them in."
Some of Lyon's most heralded forward players remain part of the OL fabric. Lacombe, the leading French goalscorer in Ligue 1 history, works as an advisor to Aulas, while Maurice is the head of the club's recruitment division. Former Brazil striker Sonny Anderson previously worked for Lyon as an attacking coach. Any young attackers coming through the ranks do not have far to look for either inspiration or first-hand advice.
Aulas, who turns 70 next month, continues to prioritise Lyon's youth set-up, allocating a budget of between €8 million and €10 million to the academy every season. The club has nine youth scouts covering the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region in east-central France, which has the highest number of licensed (article in French) football players in the country outside of Paris, and five in the rest of France.
"I've been at the club for 30 years, and they've always focused on youth coaching," Garrido said. "It's a tradition at Lyon. And the president has never let it slip."
Christophe Laval, sporting director of amateur club Menival FC, said Lyon's presence can be felt on local touchlines.
"OL really go looking at the local clubs and not just the trial games for good players," he said. "The other clubs don't really come and look at the little teams."
Menival, which is where France international centre-back Umtiti started his career, is one of 26 local amateur clubs with whom Lyon have established partnerships. Lyon put on training sessions for their partner clubs, as well as providing equipment and sharing advice on structural development. Additional perks include free match tickets.
In return, if any promising young players come through the ranks at a partner club, a channel of communication with Lyon's academy will already be open. Whereas previously, in Laval's words, clubs like Menival felt like Lyon were "pillaging" them, now the relationship is reciprocal.
A network that Bonneau established enables Lyon to keep an eye out for any promising players emerging in other areas of France. He managed to spirit Ben Arfa and Martial away from beneath the noses of recruiters in the Paris suburbs, while Alassane Plea, who is now at Borussia Monchengladbach, arrived from the Lille region before being sold to Nice in 2014.
Bonneau, who left Lyon for Swiss club Servette FC last year, would go to watch a young player "between 12 and 15 times" if he got a tip-off and left nothing to chance, following up on every report he received.
"If you get 50 tip-offs, there will be 48 bad ones and two good ones," he said. "I didn't want to miss the two good ones."
Once a young player has joined the club, it is a case of drilling them day after day until they develop the discipline to succeed as a professional footballer. Garrido, who Ben Arfa described as "hard but fair," said the club's academy coaches have a duty to the players in their care to make them understand the dedication it takes to succeed at the highest level.
"We're very demanding with them," said the 63-year-old, who now works in the club's youth recruitment department. "Lots of rigour, lots of work. You have to talk to them a lot and make them understand that what we're asking from them is for their own good.
"If you're not able to communicate that to them, the failure is yours."
Lyon's recruiters have always paid particular attention to a player's home environment and lifestyle, ever alert to off-field issues that could derail a promising youth career further down the tracks. The 398 players at the academy—248 boys and 150 girls—each follow personal-development projects that are evaluated every three months.
Lyon have also taken steps to mitigate the psychological pressures that are an inevitable consequence of being part of the youth set-up at a major European football club. In 2015 the club set up a mental wellness programme that enables players aged 12 and above to speak to a mental preparation coach, participate in weekly yoga sessions, learn breathing exercises and undergo conversational hypnotherapy.
"We said to ourselves, ‘We're very good from a technical perspective, from a tactical perspective and from an athletic perspective. But what about the mental perspective?'" Vulliez said, sitting on a black leather couch in a first-floor meeting room overlooking the academy's main pitch.
"So we decided to create a programme that would help our young players to develop their mental skills. At the beginning, people looked at us a little bit suspiciously. Now it's become natural. And we see the results on the pitch."
Lyon's new academy facility opened in the summer of 2016 and stands with the 59,186-seater Groupama Stadium, which opened earlier the same year, as a gleaming symbol of OL's future.
If there is a cloud on the horizon, it is the increasing risk that young players will be persuaded to leave the club before they have broken into the first-team squad. In a well-publicised case last summer, promising teenage forward Willem Geubbels left for AS Monaco in a €20 million deal, having made only four first-team appearances. Lyon said they had made "extraordinary efforts" to make him stay. Martial made the same move five years earlier, costing Monaco €5 million, after a similarly brief exposure to senior football.
Vulliez cannot disguise his disappointment over Geubbels' departure, which he attributes to an "explosion" in the market for teenage footballers in the last two to three years, but he is adamant that Lyon will not bow to wage demands that "do not correspond to our values." Despite increasing competition for young players' signatures, he is confident that Lyon's academy will continue to thrive in the years ahead.
"We're a very solid house," he said. "We have good foundations, the club is healthy, and we have a president who will continue to invest in youth coaching. We have experience in scouting, which helps us to find the very, very good players. And we want to continue evolving."
The club's ambition is to win the Champions League with a team largely made up of homegrown players. It may prove to be a forlorn hope, given the vast resources at the disposal of some of their rivals, but if Lyon come up short, it will not be for want of trying.
Lyon Manager Says Tanguy Ndombele Could Become a 'New Paul Pogba'
Feb 15, 2019
LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 3: Tanguy Ndombele of Lyon during the french Ligue 1 match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL, Lyon) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Groupama Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Decines near Lyon, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Lyon manager Bruno Genesio believes midfield star Tanguy Ndombele can emulate his France team-mate and Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
Ndombele is rated as one of the most exciting prospects in European football during his time with the Ligue 1 side.
Speaking about the way Ndombele has developed to Tuttosport (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness), Genesio said that the youngster is similar to Pogba in that he has many different facets to his game:
"He's strong physically and especially technically. Tanguy can leave three players behind with his first touch, and when he sets off, it's hard to stop him. He's precise in his passing, good at dribbling and is very intelligent
"I don't like comparisons, but, yes, Ndombele could be a new Pogba. Tanguy can play in every midfield role, he's started to score, but I want him to improve there: He needs to be an eight-10 league goal midfielder."
Genesio went on to say that Ndombele will become a midfielder "in a top club" and said he "wouldn't be surprised" if the Lyon man became a Juventus midfielder.
Ndombele has been exceptional over the last couple of campaigns, and it's no surprise the 22 year old has been linked with some high-profile football clubs across Europe.
Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports reported ahead of the previous January transfer window that United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in the player. However, Lyon wanted to keep him around and help the team's progress in the UEFA Champions League.
The competition Twitter account recently took a look at some of the Lyon man's highlights from this season's tournament:
While there are stylistic differences in the way Ndombele and Pogba operate, they are two rounded players.
Ndombele is a little more defensively-minded than his compatriot, albeit his game isn't entirely centred around spoiling opposition attacks. He can win the ball back, drive forward and make contributions in the final third.
He has excelled in European competition and earned a call up for France already this season
There are areas in which he can improve. Scouted Football noted that he could be more productive on the ball when he advances into dangerous areas:
Tanguy Ndombélé (22) in all competitions for Olympique Lyonnais:
• 75 games • 12 assists • 3 goals
All three of his OL goals have been scored in European competition. For a player who progresses the ball so well, it's a wonder he doesn't get in more scoring opportunities. pic.twitter.com/aHDLaSWcLJ
That's a trait that should emerge in time. Pogba is enjoying a free-scoring season with the Red Devils, netting 11 times in the Premier League and setting up eight goals.
Ndombele may never get to that level, although he would be delighted if he could accomplish what Pogba—a four-time Serie A champion and FIFA World Cup winner—has in the game. All the signs are that the Lyon man is moving in the right direction.
Lyon President Talks Olivier Giroud Interest Amid Chelsea Exit Rumours
Jan 30, 2019
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed he would be interested in signing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in the summer.
The French striker has said his Stamford Bridge future is in doubt after Gonzalo Higuain's loan switch to west London:
Giroud: "If the club decides to get another striker, like Higuain, it will certainly darken my future at Chelsea." Also said Hazard false 9 didn't help the strikers. Waiting to speak to some players. #CFC#CHESWEhttps://t.co/bRqJ25pFms
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has turned down a January switch to Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang, who were offering to pay him £9 million per year, per L'Equipe (h/t Neil McLeman of the Mirror).
A return to Ligue 1 could be on the cards after Aulas revealed he has long been interested in the former Arsenal forward, per Le Figaro on Tuesday(h/t Goal's Robert O'Connor):
"I dreamed of bringing him in last summer and I even called Arsene Wenger to get his opinion, someone like Gerard Houllier knows him well too. We had discussions when I was in Moscow with the French national team during the World Cup. Things were not possible, on his side. Today we have an attack that is well stocked. If someone in the front left, then a deal could interest us, especially because he has a different profile compared to our players.
"This summer, of course Giroud will interest me. It seems a little tight for this winter. We do not want to overload with attackers, especially as we have a real team. Aside from that, we will have to see what manager we have at that moment of the season, but I like this boy. He is a good guy."
Giroud, a 2011-12 Ligue 1 title-winner with Montpellier, joined Chelsea from the Gunners a year ago in a deal worth £18 million.
The 32-year-old has never nailed down a first-team spot in the side and has started only six Premier League games in 2018-19.
Manager Maurizio Sarri has has shown little faith in him, opting to start Eden Hazard regularly in a false nine position ahead of both Giroud and Alvaro Morata.
Morata has now joined Atletico Madrid on loan, and Higuain has clearly been brought in to be the first-choice No. 9.
Barring an injury to the Argentinian, Giroud can hope for little more in the second half of the campaign than occasional appearances from the bench in the league and starts in cup competitions.
It seems quite clear that, under Sarri, Giroud will never be a key part of the Chelsea first team.
His contract in west London expires in June, and it seems likely he will move on.
If Giroud does seal a move to Lyon, it will mark the end of a seven-year spell for him in the Premier League.
