Olympique Lyonnais to put more trust on youth – Jean-Michel Aulas
In 2009, Ligue 1 giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aly-Cissokho-c5313 and Bafétimbi Gomis. Two years later, things have changed drastically at the Rhone club.
More than a month and a half of the transfer window has passed and Les Gones still haven’t spent a single penny on a new acquisition. For many fans, this scenario should be a cause of concern for the Lyon management.
While talking to Le Progress, Aulas said that although the club has seen strong sides in recent season, there would be a lot of changes at the club from now.
The Rhone giants have been keeping tabs on Delvin N’Dinga of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247 for a long time. However, it seems that the club won’t be able to sign the youngster as Les Gones are not willing to pay a lot of money for their targets this summer.
“When we sign expensive players, they say that we take a lot of risks and they might not pay off. Here we have decided to play the youth card. We have six young players who will play in the under-20 World Cup and three good players who are injured at the moment,” said Aulas while talking to Le Progress.
Olympique Lyonnais currently have the finest youth academy in France. The Centre Tola Vologe is home to some of the best young talent in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ludovic-Giuly-c22617 and Loic Remy.
Players such as Maxime Gonalons, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ishak-Belfodil-c17059 and Loic Abenzoar are expected to feature regularly for Olympique Lyonnais in the upcoming 2011/2012 Ligue 1 season which.
Currently, Olympique Lyonnais coach Remi Garde has identified targets but is not guaranteed any signings if the targets do not fit the club’s wage bill which is expected to be reduced ahead of the new season.
With Aulas’ announcement of putting more trust on youth, it seems that Lyonnais might not be a force to be reckoned with next season. However, the club would definitely benefit a lot by giving its home-grown players more chances to shine in the Ligue 1 next season.
In the long run, the strategy of putting more faith on the academy players would definitely help the club becoming a consistent force for years to come.
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