Author: HelenAtAmarIt

Foot Mercato are reporting that Flamengo prefer the financial makeup of Olympique Lyonnais’ offer for midfielder João Gomes (21), compared to what is being proposed by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Gomes’ move to Wolves had looked all but complete. Terms between the clubs had been agreed upon, whilst the player had also reached an agreement to join the club. However, Lyon’s last-minute intervention now threatens to throw the deal off course. 

Flamengo have now cut discussions with Wolves, much to the annoyance of Gomes, who is still fully intent on joining the Premier League side. As previously reported by Foot Mercato, Gomes has already agreed personal terms, as well as his word to the Midlands club that he will join this January. 

Lyon are profiting from the fact that since John Textor’s recent acquisition of Les Gones, both clubs have the same owner. Whilst discussions between the two clubs are very promising, it remains to be seen whether Gomes can be convinced to join the Ligue 1 club. 

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Lille goalkeeper Léo Jardim (27) is expected to join Brazilian outfit CR Vasco da Gama, according to a report from L’Equipe. The outlet add that the northerners have found an agreement over the transfer of their Brazilian goalkeeper.

Jardim signed with Lille from Portuguese outfit Rio Ave in 2019 for a five-year deal. Jardim played mostly a peripheral role with Les Dogues as Mike Maignan was the undisputed first-choice keeper at the time, and was then loaned to Portuguese side Boavista for the 2020-2021 season.

When Maignan departed for AC Milan, Lille completed the loan signing of Croatian international Ivo Grbić. Jardim and the Atlético Madrid loanee were both in contention for the spot between the sticks for the then-Jocelyn Gourvennec-led side until the Brazilian had to undergo neck surgery. Jardim went on to reclaim the starting berth from February to the end of the 2021-2022 season.

This time, Jardim has been gradually left aside following promising French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier’s (21) blossoming. With Jardim on its way back to Brazil for a three-year deal with CR Vasco da Gama, Lille are expected to complete the signing of Auxerre keeper Benoît Costil (35).

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28/01/2023 Ligue 1 

The Vélodrome was once again at fever-pitch, and Marseille will be happy to come away from a tense match against Monaco with a point to extend their lead over the Monegasques for the Champions League qualifying positions.

Monaco started the match in bright fashion, and were effective in passing patterns and chance creation to worry Marseille’s backline. A free-kick from the right sent OM’s defence into disarray as Jordan Veretout flicked past Blanco to score an own goal in the 17th minute. Ben Seghir, Golovin, and Ben Yeddar were the key starlets in the first half.

Once again we whip out the old cliché: it was indeed a match of two halves. Marseille, buoyed no doubt by an Igor Tudor half-time team talk, stormed into the second period with a high intensity spearheaded by Alexis Sánchez up front. It was indeed the Chilean who profited from Alex Nübel’s error to calmly equalise for OM. The home side had the majority of chances, even hitting the bar midway through the second half, yet Monaco managed to hold on and earn a point.

Marseille:

Blanco, 6

Mbemba, 6

Gigot, 5

Kolasinac, 6 – Another solid performance for Kolasinac in a Marseille shirt, who us proving his worth and quickly becoming a fan favourite under Igor Tudor. He could have scored the winner in the second half, hitting the bar on the rebound. Yet he offered defensive solidity whilst also taking up advanced positions, as is normal for a defender in Tudor’s system. 

Ünder, 5

Rongier, 5

Veretout, 4

Tavares, 7 – Drove well into the box to provide for the equaliser, perked up his performance in the second half and showed determination and devastating bursts of energy on the right side for Marseille. Was not afraid to shoot on goal and take offensive responsibility. 

Malinovskyi, 6

Guendouzi, 5 – With Malinovskyi taking up a more advanced position for Marseille Guendouzi was plying his trade in more defensive tasks this evening, mopping up well and organising OM’s midfield. His performance was at a good level, without impressing massively on the ball. His body language however remained professional throughout the match despite reported interest from Premier League Aston Villa…

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Sánchez, 7 – Another glimmering performance for the Chilean in a Marseille shirt. Whilst he was reasonably quiet in the first half (similarly to most of OM), he stormed into the second with a calm finish to equalise in the 47th minute with his 3rd goal in five games for the Olympians. He worked well with Tavares & Malinovskyi and drifted into dangerous positions whilst the home side were on the ball, and upped his pressing intensity off it. 

Others: Gueye 5, Payet 5

Monaco:

Nübel, 5

Vanderson, 6

Disasi, 6

Maripan, 5

Caio Henrique, 6 – Worked well and hard on the left side for Monaco, and it was his looping free-kick into the box which troubled a disorganised Marseille defence for the opener. Whilst it was more difficult defensively in the second half for Monaco, he kept composure despite his side conceding in the 47th minute. 

Diatta, 6 – Did a great job of managing the midfield in the first half alongside Matazo. Comfortable in possession and created numerous chances on the attack. However, as Marseille stormed back into life in the second half, his performance was less influential on the match. 

Fofana, 5

Matazo, 6 

Golovin, 6 –  Lively performance and full of tricks and was a key cog in Monaco’s bright start to the match, much like his midfield counterparts he spent large periods of the second half without the ball, but managed to switch up his game to react to OM’s large domination coming into the second period in order to be more dangerous on the counter attack and conserving what chances the Monegasques had.

Ben Seghir, 7 – Incredible start to the game, his energy was spot on as he chased every ball when in the defensive phase. In attack, he was effective in possession of the ball, managing to rotate out of a deeper role at times but also being able to run on the shoulder of the last man. Was substituted off in the second half in a tactical change by Philippe Clément – yet it was another promising showing from the 17-year old. One to watch (as many have said before).

Ben Yedder, 5

Others: Embolo, 5, Jakobs 6, Gelson 5, Martins 5, Aguilar 5, 

Brazilian Botafogo winger Jeffinho (23) is currently undergoing his medical with his new club Lyon, according to OL head coach Laurent Blanc. In his pre-game press conference, attended by Foot Mercato, the 1998 World Cup winner with France confirmed that the 23-year-old will strengthen the Rhône outfit pending completion of his medical.

Jeffinho played for Botafogo, a club owned by none other than new American Lyon owner John Textor. The Brazilian left-winger has scored two goals and registered three assists in 24 league games with Botafogo.

Blanc stated that Jeffinho won’t be available for tomorrow’s home match against relegation-battling Brest after picking up a small injury. Jeffinho is expected to be Lyon’s last attacking reinforcement this January transfer window after the signing of Swedish Heerenveen striker Amin Sarr (21).

Blanc has announced that Swede and Chelsea-bound Malo Gusto would both be available tomorrow against the Brittany outfit. The right-back did not make the squad that won at Ajaccio last Sunday because he was undergoing his medical with the West London outfit.

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Foot Mercato are reporting that RC Lens forward Loïs Openda (22) turned down an approach from a Premier League club during the January transfer window. 

Openda only joined Le Sang et Or in the summer, arriving from Club Brugge for just under €10m. The Belgian international had the difficult task of replacing the departed Arnaud Kalimuendo, whose loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain came to an end. The PSG academy product ultimately joined Stade Rennais in the summer. 

In 21 Ligue 1 appearances, Openda already has nine goals, and has registered one assist in a Lens side that continue to defy expectations. The club, despite their first home loss of the season at the hands of OGC Nice, are still on the Ligue 1 podium, and look on course to secure European football of some form this season.

Openda’s form has been particularly eye-catching, to the extent that after just six months, a “big” Premier League side tried to tempt him away from Ligue 1 during the January transfer window. The unnamed Premier League approached the player personally during the transfer window, according to Foot Mercato. However, the player, happy at Lens, politely turned down the approach in order to see the season out with Lens.  

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JONNY SEXTON SAYS victories like the one against South Africa tonight will give Ireland belief that they can make a real impact at next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Joe Schmidt’s side recorded a 29-15 victory over the Spingboks at the Aviva Stadium with Rhys Ruddock and Tommy Bowe getting the tries before JP Pietersen’s consolation.

Man-of-the-match Sexton, who was successful with four penalties and and two conversions, praised the quality of Ireland’s squad after several superb performances from players filling in for those missing through injury.

“From 1-23 it was an absolute squad performance,” Sexton told RTÉ at the final whistle.

“We came in here with a game plan and knew it was going to be a bit greasy and we wanted to put the pressure on them. We executed it pretty well. It wasn’t pretty at times but it was all about the victory today.

“With all the players we were missing, to pull a victory out against arguably the joint-best team in the world is great and the support here was outstanding today.

“We left it behind a bit in New Zealand last year and we didn’t want that to happen again so it was great to get the victory.”

“We’re performance-driven so no matter who is missing, the guys that come in are expected to do a job and thankfully they did it today,” he added. “It wasn’t perfect and we’ll have plenty to improve on as we always do with Joe. We will get back to the drawing board this week for Georgia and then a big game against Australia after that.

“Like I said, it wasn’t perfect but to beat these guys who play with some intensity, there will be a lot of sore bodies this week and you know when you have played a test match against South Africa.”

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