The quiet strength of OL in defense is Duje Caleta-Car who is rediscovering a second youth after a contrasting spell at OM.
Olympique Lyonnais' central defense has changed a lot this summer, but it There is one player who has not changed one iota, it is Duje Caleta-Car. However, upon his arrival in the Rhône, not many Lyon supporters jumped to the ceiling when they saw the strong Croatian central arrive from Southampton, relegated to English D2 and eager to part with a big salary. Successfully loaned, he quickly signed up permanently with OL until 2027, unanimously agreeing to be one of the two starters in the central hinge. A nice revenge on Ligue 1 for the player revealed in Salzburg, and who was bought for 20 million euros by OM in 2018. But after four years in Marseille, Caleta-Car was not really considered in Provence, and left for the Premier League through the back door for 8 million euros.
“I’m not surprised”
Considered slow and clumsy in Marseille, he is appreciated for his ability to win duels, his clean recovery and his good placement in Lyon. This radical change does not surprise someone well placed to judge it, since Bouna Sarr, native of Lyon, played with Caleta-Car at OM. “ I'm not surprised to see him so strong in Lyon today. He was able to find a lot more confidence there than in Marseille, and Duje, with confidence, is a potential top defender. Whether it's athletically or on the rebound, he's very strong. A complete defender », Delivered the former OM in the columns of So Foot. OL will not complain, and will benefit from a player who matures late, he who was unable to achieve unanimous approval in Marseille as in Southampton. But his good performances in Lyon, and his return to the national team, make him an accomplished defender who no one complains about at OL.
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