Lyon and why i think we should try to get Gomis.

[Frenchalex25]

Dear All,

I know that most of us would like to see a striker and / or a creative midfielder coming in at THFC during this transfer window.
I don't really know what to think about this and this has been discussed already many times on this forum.
Most of us will probably agree that we need 1 creative midfielder AND 1 striker.
Nevertheless, i am convinced that we need even more a forward that really strike goals asap.
Indeed, I haven't seen all the games but i have seen almost 10 full games this season and MOTD summary for games that weren't shown on tv.

I agree with most of you when you say that we need one creative midfielders to accelerate the rhythm of the game and destabilize the opponent team.

But we have created chances in our games.
Our biggest problem is not to create chances.
Our biggest problem is to score them.

I would say that the QPR game on yesterday once again showed that.
Once again, good goalkeeper from the opposite team + inefficient forwards = 0-0 Draw.

Most of us seem to agree on the fact that Jermain Defoe has performed quite well this season.
He might not be a world beater but he has always done his best for the team and rarely looks uninterested in a football match.
Sometimes inefficient but hardly uninterested.

On the other side, less and less people amongst Spurs fans seem to enjoy the work rate, behaviour and efficiency of Emmanuel Adebayor.

According to what i have read on this forum, many people were pissed off by his bad performance on yesterday.
And this wasn't the first time, he has performed badly this season.

And yesterday 's game seems to have proven that he hasn't delivered as we could expect him to.
And the fact that he goes to the ACN doesn't make things easier for anyone at the Club
(including him).

Everybody involved at the Club seems to be aware that these 2 positions needs urgently to be strengthened.
That's why, I'd like to speak here about Lyon.(once again)

As expected, (once again), Lyon desperately needs cash and to get cash, its president Jean Michel Aulas made publicly the announcement weeks ago that he would be ready to listen to offers for players.(more precisely for his player with the best price : Gomis).
Chelsea (before signing Ba) and Juventus have been quite interested by him.
Liverpool has also been interested by him.

Gomis and Lyon' s situation are very similar to the one of Hugo Lloris this summer.

This summer, Aulas made publicly the announcement that if a "right and fair offer" would come for Lloris, he would consider it.
He didn't get all the money Levy first promised him for Lloris once a first agreement for a amount has been agreed between the 2 presidents.

As a consequence, he was angry at Levy for making a second offer smaller than the first one but Aulas needed so desperately the cash this summer that the deal was done nevertheless and we get Lloris for a great value.

This is a little bit the same story now.

Aulas needs money and most of us seem to agree that we need at least an other half-decent forward to see the end of the season (with some back up in the front at least) without wasting all the good job the team and AVB and done so far.

Especially to go a little bit further in the EL and help to challenge Arsenal, Everton (or even West Brom) for the 4 th place.
Gomis has been good for Lyon so far but he is the guy with the highest value.

He has already scored 11 goals in the League this season ( 16 goals with Cup games and EL).

All french medias mention of price of about 10 Euros Millions. (8 GBP Millions).
Aulas absolutely needs to sell him.
And this is quite clear that Gomis will be out of Lyon during this window.

Aulas is ready to sell him to any club that is willing to pay the 10 M Euro figure.
Gomis is aware that he probably will not see the end of the season with Lyon but his very much preferred destination is England.
As this player is the one who can help the Club to improve its bank-account.
Lyon also wants to keep Lisandro Lopez happy.

And Gomis is the centre forward, Lisandro is playing in the left wing
(whereas Bastos is playing in the right wing).
Lisandro was used to play centre forward and will be back a centre forward again once they have sold Gomis.
Most of the time, Garde is reluctant to play 4-4-2 (with both Lisandro and Gomis as centre forwards).

A little bit like AVB, Garde likes to play with a lone striker and this is Gomis that plays in the lone striker role.

Lisandro plays like a offensive left winger as Bale would do when Defoe or Ade play as lone striker.

 

[Frenchalex25]

Please find below a link that sums it perfectly (dated 12.01.13) after Lyon's victory over Troyes).

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Lisandro-aulas-confirme-pour-la-juve/342006

Dans la foulée du succès de Lyon à Troyes (2-1), samedi, Jean-Michel Aulas a reconnu avoir été approché par la Juventus pour un prêt de Lisandro.
«Cette solution n’a pas été retenue», a-t-il immédiatement précisé.

En cas de départ de Lisandro ou de Gomis, également courtisé, Aulas ne craint-il pas d’affaiblir un effectif qui occupe provisoirement seul la tête du Championnat.

«Je ne suis pas sûr que l'effectif soit synonyme d'efficacité, répond-il.
Je l'ai dit, mon propos n'est pas uniquement économique mais traite aussi d'équilibre.
Quand vous avez deux internationaux en titre pour jouer avant-centre et qu'ils veulent évoluer à ce poste tous les deux, à moins de jouer en 4-4-2 comme ce soir, ce qui est intelligent de la part de Rémi Garde car il a ainsi donné satisfaction aux deux, il faut essayer de penser à ceux qui sont derrière».
Et d’ajouter : «Quelques fois, ce n'est pas en perdant un joueur qu'on s'affaiblit.»

Translation:
After Lyon's success away over Troyes (2-1) on saturday, Jean Michel Aulas admitted that Juventus was interested to get Lisandro on loan.
Aulas immediately added : "This solution wasn't the one we expected ".

Lisandro or Gomis should leave, Aulas doesnt' seem afraid to weaken a squad that temporary is top of the League.
" I am not convinced that team means efficiency". anwers Aulas.I told it, this is not only about savings, this is also about "balance" (of the team).
When 2 international players want both to play centre forward, unless you play 4-4-2 as we did tonight., and this was a clever option from Rémi Garde as both of them were happy, we also must think about the other (players).He finally added " Sometimes, this is not because we lose a player that we weaken".

Aulas also wants to save money regarding players wages.

That's why the older players with the bigger wages were already forced to leave the Club this summer 2012 with Kallstrom to Spartak Moscow and Cris to Galatasaray).
Cris was earning 4.2 M Euros / year. - 350000 Eur / month (290000 GBP £ /month).
Kallstrom was earning 3.7 M Euros / year or 310000 Eur / month (250000 GBP £ /month).
Aulas wouldn't mind at all to see the back of Michel Bastos who earns 3.4 M Euros / year.
Regarding Gourcuff, Aulas cant' sell him (considering the player fitness).
Gourcuff is Lyon biggest salary with 4.4 M Euros / year .
360000 Eur /month. (305000 GBP £ /month).

As far Gomis is concerned, he earns 3.5 M Euros /year.
290000 Eur /month. (240000 GBP £ / month).

And to do so, he wants his players with the bigger salaries to leave the Club.

When he played in Lyon, Lloris earned 2.5 M Euros /year.
(210000 Euros / month - 170000 GBP £ / month).At Spurs , Lloris earns 380000 Euros /month ( 316000 GBP £ / month).
It seems that the Exectutive Comitée, Board of Managament of Lyon very much insists on the fact that the sooner the players still on big wages out of the Club , the better.
As explained, Lyon will more and more use their academy to remain amongst the best of the Ligue 1.
And Lyon will use "home made" players rather than buying them.

Aulas has always run this Club very carefully (very similar to Levy in the aspect) but the fact that Lyon doesn't play the CL this season and Lyon are trying to build a new Stadium didn't make the Club accounts any good.

Aulas has been Lyon's president since 1987.

Many pics of the new planned stadium here below for those interested.
It will be called "Stade des Lumières".

http://www.google.fr/search?q=stade...54CYDA&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=2025&bih=974
On many aspects, Lyon have very much similarities with Spurs.
Stadium and Club comes first, and if Aulas must sell his best players to make savings and help his Stadium project, he will do so without feeling any remorse.

I personally would have no problems if Levy (at some point in the future) would chose to sell our best players to make the building process of the new WHL easier (from an economical point of view) or faster.

Our Club development is more important than any player.
Even if we play shit (as long as we would remain in the EPL).
I have never been Gomis' biggest fan. but i have to admit that getting him might be a good solution considering the problems we have in the front.

For the reasons below:

His age : 27. ( probably not too old for Levy)

His physical abilities that lead many people to think he might cope well with the EPL.
I am also convinced that he is one of the very few forwards we could afford and that might do well in the EPL.(considering the money Levy may pay for a striker).
But we must act in the next few days and for 10 M Euros, I think that wouldn't be a big gamble.

 

[Frenchalex25]

Even if he doesn't perform good enough for a team that wants CL footie, he would probably be good enough for mid table teams; like Norwich, Stoke, West Ham; etc...).

And I am sure Levy would even make more money (if he must sell him to an other English Club).
He would argue that considering that Gomis has had EPL experience at THFC, this would add value to Gomis.
His way of playing.He is used to play as a lone striker and this would fit quite well AVB way of thinking.

Indeed, he is able to hold the game up higher on the pitch due to his physical abilities.
That allows the team to also play higher on the pitch and put more pressure close to the opposing goalkeeper. And to create more chances.

Moreover, he would fit quite well in our team considering our wingers are playing almost as "forwards" and both Lennon and Bale have quite good figures with scoring goals.

And with Dempsey (or Sigurdsson) a little bit behind the lone striker who can hold the game rather up on the pitch, this would make loads of "second ball" ammunition for Dempsey or Sig.

Gomis is very useful to "spread" - "stretch" defences.
He also help to create chances for the other players.
And this is very annoying for "defenders" as he is very often in the last 30 meters.

Moreover, even if he somtimes looks "lazy", he gets a very good speed.

Here, you could see a few goals he has scored this season.

(No compilation that make a player "looking good" - only goals.

18.08.2012 : Ligue 1 : Lyon - Troyes (Goal 1)


18.08.2012 : Ligue 1 : Lyon - Troyes (Goal 2)


07.10.2012 : Ligue 1 : Lorient - Lyon


21.10.12 : Ligue 1 - Lyon - Brest


18.11.12 : Ligue 1 - Lyon - Reims


28.11.12: Ligue 1 - Lyon -Marseille (Goal 1)


28.11.12: Ligue 1 - Lyon -Marseille (Goal 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVRlvBHxtI0

01.12.12 : Ligue 1 - Lyon - Montpellier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KxU1FTfAzE

He also scored a few penalties that leads him to 11 goals already in the Ligue 1 this season.

Gomis is not the kind of player who run everywhere and seems lazy at times but this is just the way he is.
He saves his energy but whenever needed, he does the right thing most of the time.

He doesn't defend very much but he makes a lot of attacking pressure and can play a lot back to the goal.
He also has a great mentality.

His header is quite good and he can help us to play quite up on the field.

He is like a "pivot" on the front of the field (like Ade was when he was good) and the other offensive midfielders or wingers can benefit from his offensive work... and also score goals when Gomis doesn't.

In the other side, Gomis does very little defensive work.
Indeed he is staying very much around the penalty box.
Or at least in the last 30 meters.

A little bit like Berbatov, he doesn't seem to do anything on the pitch.....and he can be very frustrating at times.
But he is an "exciting" player...... and I am convinced he would fit our squad quite well for little money.

But if we consider that a striker must score goals above everything, he is a good striker.

He is not making any "useless" runs.
He seems like he is saving his energy but when he is in a scoring position and provided with goals, he very rarely miss the target.

He can also create chances from nothing.

 

[Syn_13]

I have to admit that I've never watched him play so I wouldn't be able to comment on whether I'd like him or not. However, he doesn't strike me as a big enough player (at least in the UK) to come in and dislodge one of our forwards. I know signings to not need to be high profile but I've not heard much about him which leads me to believe that he doesn't set the world alight.

What are his strengths and weaknesses? Also, I thought Aulas wasn't keen on dealing with our club. I heard there was a little animosity over the Lloris deal.

Edit: Ignore strengths/weaknesses question, you've just updated your thread.

 

[Frenchalex25]

In the link below ,
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Lacombe-espere-garder-gomis/341798

the article is about Lacombe comments on Bafétimbi Gomis and
the video is about Aulas comments on Bafétimbi Gomis.

Lacombe is Aulas' advisor and his role looks like Director Of Football.
His role looks like the one Comolli had when he was in charge at THFC.

«C'est embêtant si on perd les meilleurs joueurs à la trêve», répond Bernard Lacombe à une question du Parisien sur un éventuel départ de Bafétimbi Gomis au mercato hivernal, samedi.

«Surtout Bafé, insiste le conseiller de Jean-Michel Aulas.
(Il) est le garçon le plus efficace depuis le début de la saison (11 buts). J'en parle avec le président, mais, quand vous avez un problème financier, qu'est-ce que vous voulez...».

Interrogé vendredi, "JMA" a indiqué que le prêt de Monzon à Fluminense (D1 brésilienne) ne serait pas le seul mouvement côté OL.

«Il y (en) aura évidemment d'autres, a-t-il dit. L'idéal serait de réaliser un transfert important. Sinon, il pourrait y avoir un ou deux autres prêts.»
Le président lyonnais a ainsi confirmé l'intérêt de Besiktas (D1 turque) pour Jimmy Briand

Translation :

On saturday, when he was asked a question for french daily newspaper "Le Parisien" about a possible departure of Bafétimbi Gomis during the winter market, Bernard Lacombe answers :"This is awkward if we lose our best players during the winter break".
"Mainly Bafé" insists Aulas' advisor.
"He has been the most efficient player this season (11 goals).
I have spoken about this situation with the president but when you face a financial problem.... this is it.."

When he was asked a question on friday, JMA (Jean Michel Aulas) insisted that Monzon loan to Fluminense (Brasil First division) would be the only change in L'OL.

He said "Obviously, there will be other changes too".
The ideal thing would be to complete an important transfer out.
If we can't (complete this transfer) , we might loan out 1 or 2 players".
Lyon's president also confirmed the interest from Besiktas (turkish first division) for Jimmy Briand.

In the video; Aulas speaks as follow.

We have held talks - discussion- negotiation, not only with England ( English Clubs).
For Bafé, Chelsea option seemed very interesting for him and I fully understand that.
Things will now accelerate during the last 15 days of January, we'll continue to analyse other propositions ( offers).
To consider an offer as valid; worthwhile, there must be an offer from a club that is willing to buy, that the selling club agree with that amount and that the player involved also agree (with the destination).
So for the moment, this is premature to speak about possible solutions.
At the beginning of December, there have been links that Spurs and Liverpool were ready to make a 25 Millions Euros offer for him.
http://mercato.eurosport.fr/footbal...liverpool-et-tottenham_sto3519064/story.shtml

To be honest, we won't need to spend 25 M Euros to buy him.
I think that an offer around 15 M Euros should make it.

I am not sure if Aulas would be very "happy" to make business with Levy again but Aulas also knows
that Levy needs to be careful about THFC money and they both basically run their clubs the same way.

Both Clubs have to do with limited budgets.
THFC tries to make good things with limited budget in the EPL.
Lyon tries to make good things with limited budget in the french Ligue 1.

Lyon can't financially fight with PSG and Spurs can't financially fight with United, City or Chelsea.
Both chairmen need each other now (as they needed each other this summer).

They are both businessmen and Aulas perfectly knows that despite being a difficult guy to deal with, Levy has some cash to spend on Gomis.
And maybe that Hugo can give Bafé a call to explain how a great Club THFC is.

Sorry again for such a long post.

Alex.

 

[Pringle]

I agree with you that we need a striker and i am sure this guy is a good option - but i dont agree that we create enough. When teams sit back against us which means no space in behind for the likes of Bale and Lennon we tend to struggle more. Stoke at home and QPR away yesterday was a perfect example. All of the other teams have a player who can unlock defences ie Kagawa, Silva, Cazorla, Mata etc and thats our biggest weakness. If we could find the right player then we would improve massively. Aside from the Adebayor chance after Defoe hit the post from distance, I dont remember creating any other clear chances yesterday.

 

[Frenchalex25]

Guys,
The links to You Tube vidoas are working.
You just have to press on " visionner sur You Tube".