Wilfried Zaha, who arrived at Olympique Lyonnais on loan this summer, quickly turned into a disappointment. In six matches played for Lyon, the Ivorian winger has still not found the net. Pierre Sage, the OL coach, seems to have already drawn the line on him, no longer counting on the player for the rest of the season. If his departure is now confirmed, a regulatory constraint prevents Lyon from parting with him immediately.
Delayed departure for Zaha
Zaha’s situation is complex. Under contract with Galatasaray, the Ivorian was loaned to Lyon. Having worn the jerseys of two different clubs this season, he cannot join a third before the start of the next season in another championship. This FIFA rule, aimed at preventing players from representing more than two clubs per season, therefore forces Lyon to wait until February.
This date coincides with the start of the new season in Major League Soccer (MLS). According to The Daily Mail, several American clubs have already positioned themselves to recruit Zaha, which would offer the Ivorian an opportunity to relaunch his career across the Atlantic.
An exit door in MLS?
For Zaha, a departure for the United States could be a godsend. After a delicate period, the MLS would offer him a less demanding environment to regain his sensations. OL, for their part, hope to quickly offload a player who has not met expectations. It remains to be seen whether this option will materialize once the administrative barriers are lifted in February. In the meantime, OL will have to wait.
