OL’s situation has been uncomfortable to say the least for several weeks. Indeed, despite generally interesting sporting results and several players who have taken on a new dimension (Cherki, Fofana, Tolisso), the Rhone club’s problems come from elsewhere. Indeed, plagued by financial worries and a colossal debt which applies to all the clubs in John Textor’s Eagle sphere, the residents of Groupama Stadium were caught up by the DNCG. Indeed, this Friday, the financial policeman of French football pronounced a demotion as a precautionary measure at the end of the season in Ligue 2 as well as the control of the payroll and a ban on recruitment.
A sanction which will force OL to find funds quickly so as not to experience terrible disillusionment in a few months. To do this, John Textor will surely have to take a look at the coffers of all his clubs, or he will have to resort to more traditional methods by replenishing the Lyon coffers thanks to the sale of players from Pierre Sage’s squad. At a press conference this Saturday, the American businessman suggested that the sale of players was going to be essential this winter and this summer to save the club: “ we have an excess of superb players. The coach almost has impossible decisions to make. I hate rumors about who the players are for sale, it depends on the opportunities, the certainty is the abundance of players. We have created a very difficult task where Pierre Sage has almost impossible decisions to make. » From then on, several players are bankable in the Eagle sphere.
Orel Mangala struggles to really convince with Everton
However, one name does not come up at first glance, but could bring a welcome check to Lyon this summer: Orel Mangala. Recruited at a high price from Nottingham Forest this summer after an interesting loan at the end of last season (34.8 million euros including his loan), the Belgian midfielder did not fit into Pierre Sage’s plans and was sent to Everton as part of a dry loan in the final moments of the summer transfer window. From then on, having to adapt quickly to the Toffees’ game and with the mission of familiarizing himself again with English football, Orel Mangala had his work cut out for him from the start. Quickly promoted to the starting position, the former Borussia Dortmund player gradually lost his place through unconvincing encounters and saw Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucouré pass him by.
Relegated to the bench from October, he nevertheless remained untouchable in the rotation and finally regained the trust of Sean Dyche. Playing the entirety of the Mersey club’s last two matches, the 26-year-old now aspires to be a permanent starter in the eyes of his coach. Recently, his performance against Southampton allowed him to be showered with praise by Toffees supporters, happy to see the Belgian finally prove that he has the talent to be a centerpiece of their midfield. For its part, Everton is rubbing its hands: hoping that the Brussels native continues to gain momentum, the Liverpool club also hopes to take advantage of OL’s financial problems to permanently recruit him at a discount. In this sense, the absence of a purchase clause at the end of the loan turns out to be a brilliant idea.
