Olympique Lyonnais - Manger's Report:
Olympique Lyonnais manager James Murray has given an insight into the current predicament of his struggling side and takes time to explain more about his vision for the club.
"Basically I came into a fantastic squad of players which had everything you need at a club of this size to tackle the demands of such a competitive Division 4. Granted, the previous manager had lost the opening 4 games, resulting in the team being bottom of the league and the previous manager leaving. However, I decided to make chances as I believed the club should continuously strive to be better and look to the future, especially with player recruitment and development. My record is played 12 - won 5 - drawn 2 - lost 5. This is nowhere near the standards and targets we have set collectively as a club, but moving forward it's important we stick together and ride through the threat of relegation to consolidate our position in the division. Squad cap is 30 so the plan was to have 2 players for each position capable of 1st team demands and expectations, then 8 youth players we would aim to mould into future 1st team players."
1ST TEAM:
GK. Anthony Lopes (90) - continues unrivalled as the clubs no.1 goalkeeper.
RB. Kenneth Tete (87) - faith has been put in Kenny to be a regular at right back. Highly rated Da Silva Rafael (89) was offloaded in order to give him his opportunity to play and develop.
CB. Guedes Marcelo (88) - this player was almost sold during the massive player overhaul, however, his timely rating increase caught the manager's eye and he's been an ever present since.
CB. Jason Denayer (left - 86) - a club record 11.9m was shelled out to secure the Belgian international's signature due to rival bids being placed. Certainly raised a few eyebrows with the player at a crossroads in his career.
LB. Frank Fabra (below - 86) - largely a complete unknown who has made the left back slot his own. Being a regular at Boca Juniors and Columbia national team, it was a massive coup to land a player of this calibre.
DM. Lucas Tousart (87) - the heartbeat of the team as his discipline to the role will give other players the space to roam and create.
DM. Rodri Hernandez (below - 87) - his transfer has been the talking point in France ever since he was swapped with Bertrand Traore. Rodri was rated 83 and Traore 86. Transfer was completed, then weeks later Traore rose to 88. It was all over the media as to why the club would let such a high rated known quantity leave for a low rated youth player. Fast forward to present and Rodri has now risen 83-87 and has become a 1st team regular beside Tousart screening the defence and supplying the flair players.
AMR. Maxwel Cornet (87) - it's no secret this player has been offered to several clubs in part exchange deals, however he has been a model professional and nailed down his role to attack the right side of midfield admirably.
AM. Nabil Fekir (91) - undoubtedly the best player at the club, who wears the captain's armband with pride. Nabil is the playmaker, leading by example, dictating the play and on all set piece duties.
AML. Memphis Depay (90) - from zero to hero as Memphis was told he had no future at the club, but has worked relentlessly to prove everyone wrong. Currently played 12 games, contributing 4 goals with 6 assists and 5 man of the match awards.
FC. Mariano Diaz (87) - again a player unfancied by the manager, but given his potential was not allowed to leave. Recently rose from 82-87 which has been rewarded with the no.9 jersey.
2ND TEAM:
I believe some of these players will force their way into the starting 11 throughout the season, but at present there are others in front of them in the pecking order.
GK. David Von Ballmoos (77)
RB. Bartosz Bereszynski (86)
CB. Mouctar Diakhaby (85)
CB. Tamas Kadar (85)
LB. Alex Grimaldo (85)
DM. Stefan Medina (86)
DM. Tolga Cigerci (85)
AML. Vitaliy Buyalskiy (85)
AM. Alireza Jahanbakhsh (86)
AMR. Jens Larsen (85)
FC. Nicolas Blandi (86)
FINAL 8:
After my initial confusion over squad cap of 30 ruling, I have had it confirmed 30 limit is to be met by the end of the season. This gives slight scope to bring in a couple others, but ultimately only 8 will be kept for next season.
This is currently how I rank the potential final 8:
1. Nahitan Nandez (83)
2. Wout Weghorst (85)
3. Manuel Akanji (82)
4. Stefan Posch (77)
5. Pantelis Hatziakos (75)
6. James Lea Siliki (78)
7. Volodymyr Shepelyev
8. Kevin Akpoguma (83)
9. Jordi Vanlerberghe (82)
10. Ertugrul Ersoy (80)
11. Rafa Mir (80)
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this piece and any feedback on all things Olympique Lyonnais (good or bad) would be welcome and appreciated.
James Murray
Olympique Lyonnais Manager
