LOSC Lille to put Tulio de Melo on the transfer list – Ligue 1 news
Considered as a fragile and injury-prone player, Brazilian striker Tulio de Melo is set to be listed in this winter’s transfer list.
Currently on the books of reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille, the 26-year-old is not guaranteed of a contract extension as Les Dogues don’t want to risk keeping a player at the club who has a woeful injury record.
The striker is in the final year of his contract at Stade Metropole and it seems that he will have to look for a new club when his contract expires.
Signed from Italian Serie A side Palermo in the summer of 2008, the former Le Mans man is not a regular fixture in the Lille starting XI.
Lille manager Rudi Garcia usually prefers http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ireneusz-Jelen-c17008 over the Brazilian who has so far scored 12 goals in 59 Ligue 1 matches for Lille.
Though his style of play is easy on the eye, Rudi Garcia is not willing to take any risks as the French tactician wants to have a striker on his roster who can remain injury free.
While talking to the media, De Melo said that he has become a victim of his reputation as an injury prone player.
“I have a label on me. Last year I missed the beginning of the season. But then I played a lot of games. I was used as a replacement. I’m not fragile. We must take a look at the numbers,” said the Montes Claros-born player.
However, the Brazilian has said that he is willing to work hard despite being third-choice. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Rudi Garcia seems to have given up on the Brazilian.
While talking to L’Equipe, Garcia said, “Of course it is difficult for us to project ourselves in the medium term with him. When you see his minutes played and ratio/goals, we can say that he is missing a trick. But his luck is that he is still young and he can catch up.”
The last statement made by Garcia clearly means that although he believes that the striker can shake off his constant injury worries, he will have to do this in another team.
Out of contract in June 2012, Melo has not been contacted by the Lille management for a new contract and a move away from the Stade Villeneuve d’Ascq could be on the horizon with the likes of Sporting CP, Saint-Etienne and Anzhi rumoured to be looking at the case of a striker who albeit his fragilities, is certainly a handy striker to have in a squad.
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