This Saturday (9 p.m.), OL returns to competition with the reception of Montpellier in Ligue 1. However, eyes are above all riveted towards the transfer window, between the hope of arrivals and the need to downsize.
After a two-week break, OL players are back in competition. The actual outage was only a week, but it was good, as Pierre pointed out Sage. The players are “returned in good shape, but what matters is that they are in good shape on Saturday”the Lyon coach said with a smile. This Saturday, OL returns to Ligue 1, which it left with a defeat against PSG. At Parc OL, on January 4, the adversity will be completely different with the arrival of the red lantern that is Montpellier.
On paper, there is nothing to suggest a scenario spoiling this transition to the new year. However, since January 1, the winter transfer window has opened and between Rhône and Saône, it is likely to be eventful. Moreover, on Thursday, during training open to the public, this transfer market occupied a large part of the discussions. Whether at a press conference with Pierre Sage and George Mikautadze or simply in the stand of the Gérard field Houllier.
The fear of Cherki and/or Fofana leaving
The atmosphere may have been childish with quite a few young supporters, but the fact remains that this month of transfer window mixes enthusiasm and fear. All you had to do was listen to the applause meter once the session was over to understand who is in the good graces of the Lyon public. Behind Alexandre Lacazette or even Corentin Tolissowho was urged by a supporter not to join Brighton this winter, Malick Breathe and Rayan Cherki have finished seducing the Rhone environment for six months. Intractable on the pitch, they logically attract requests, whether for autographs or transfers. Among the supporters, seeing the two young Lyonnais set sail would be a sign of sporting disaster. “We are constantly reminded that OL is a club that must play in the Champions League. To achieve it, we cannot afford to separate ourselves, even from one of the two. They have become indispensable.”assure Martialwho came from Chaponost for this public training.
He is not the only one to think so and even Pierre Sage has agreed for some time now that OL should “maintain competitiveness in 2025”. If he didn't name anyone, Breathe et Cherki clearly fit this mold. However, at a time when the athlete has regained color, fans necessarily fear that the financial issue will take over. With the DNCG sanctions, it is difficult to imagine anything other than a club being obliged to sell its jewels. “We have already let go of Lopes and Jeffinho, we are going to let go of Orban (sold since Thursday) but that brings in nothing or very little, observed André, who came with his grandson. The real question is who will be sacrificed…”
Almada and Henrique intrigue
In fact, the Lyon management would like no one to continue to play the leading roles. The objective set for Matthew Louis-Jean is above all to find a way out for certain “undesirables” so that the sporting impact is limited. We inevitably think of Maxence Caqueret. However, players like Ernest Nuamah or Said Benrahma should not be retained. Even less if the elements that are Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique land between Rhône and Saône.
This will require the approval of the DNCG, but among the supporters, there is logically a bit of intrigue when it comes to planning. “We are talking about an Argentinian international and a Brazilian international so that can only be positive. But, there is still a little reserve, nuance Simonsouth turn subscriber. Sage has managed to create a pretty solid and collective group so will they be able to blend in and contribute right away? Their statements show that they still have quite a character, so let's see if it matches with everyone.”
For the moment, the two players Botafogo are not yet at OL. However, they occupy much more space than the arrival of Montpellier. Because, whether we like it or not, the transfer window always has its little effect. For better and for worse.
