Nemanja Matic at a press conference with OL (credit: David Hernandez)
In times of financial crisis affecting OL, the future of the players is necessarily at the center of discussions. With six players leaving according to John Textor, doubt remains in the Lyon group, even if Nemanja Matic denies it.
The big sale is coming soon. Last Saturday, during the presentation of the file of theOL to the DNCG to the club's followers, John Weaver did not fail to plan for the winter transfer window in January. Estimating, as Pierre Knowing that the Lyon squad was far too large, the American owner announced that five to six players were to set sail during the winter. There are undesirables like Gift Orbanbut also those who have a real market value and who could bring cash into Lyon's coffers, like Rayan Cherki or Malick Breathing.
Between payroll management and the need for liquidity,OL will have their work cut out for them and no one is really safe from still being at the club on February 1, 2025. A statement which rather shocked and surprised Nemanja Maticthis Thursday at a press conference. “Are you telling me that everyone is for sale? I've never experienced this kind of phenomenon, even though I've been in football for a long time. I understand the question, but it's not something that concerns me. “
“Everyone must focus on their job”
However, with a more than comfortable salary, the Serbian midfielder could be a credible candidate for departure in order to reduce the payroll. However, the precarious situation does not seem to have any impact on Lyon's ambition. Rock Sage conceded it and was followed by his midfielder. If we can necessarily regret that the players do not take a position, because they are “focused on our work in the field”, Matic admitted that the message from management had been clear during a meeting earlier this week. “The managers spoke to us a little, but they told us that everyone had to focus on their job. It's the best way to do it. We are paid to play (…) We are happy with what is happening at the club , we have confidence in our management and we don't have to think about what's happening off the field.”
The best answer would be to come back with three points from Reims on Saturday (9 p.m.).
