Among the elite youth academies of Europe, Olympique Lyonnais’ is renowned for consistently producing talents destined to be prominent names in European Football.Though we will be more concerned with the active players from their academy, but it is worth mentioning they have produced players like Bernard Lacombe in the past. Lacombe is remembered for scoring a goal against Italy within 37 seconds in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Anyway, Lyon’s much envied academy is nowadays always on the eyes of the top scouts around the world and with good reason.
Some of the important players for the current Lyon squad who are academy graduates:
Nabil Fekir: The biggest name among all graduates playing for Lyon, Nabil Fekir has proven himself to be one of the finest players in France. He had joined the Lyon academy at the age of 12, but after spending 2 years in Lyon’s academy, he joined his former club Vaultx-en-Velin in 2007. He came back to Lyon’s academy in 2011. A technical dribbler, who averaged a 3.1 take-ons per game and 75% success rate last season, a goal threat who had 18 goals in Ligue 1 last season and have already scored 7 this season, and a creative mind with an eye for crosses. The left-footer has rightfully built his reputation in European football.
Houssem Aouar: The 20 year old midfielder is a much sought-after young player. He joined the Lyon academy at the age of 11 in 2009 from AC Villeurbanne. His versatility makes him a great utility option in the midfield as he can play any role in there. He has an air of calmness on the ball and has established himself as a good passer of the ball. One to look forward to in future.
Anthony Lopes: The Lyon number 1 is a graduate of the Lyonnais academy and have been in the club since the age of 9. He has been a regular under the bars since the 2013 season and have made more than 200 league appearances.
Special mention: Jordan Ferri(on loan to Nimes)
5 players who are making it big in other European teams:
Karim Benzema: The Real Madrid man has his roots in Lyon. He had joined the Lyon academy in 1996 and progressed through the ranks to make his professional debut for the club in 2005 against Metz. He finished the 2007-08 season as the highest scorer of the league. He took a transfer to Real Madrid in 2009. Though he has lately often been criticised, he has been an asset for the club. His style of linking up aided by his passing and ball holding ability makes him more than a goal scorer. The 31 year old is one of the most successful players to have come from Lyon’s academy with 3 French Player of the Year awards and a host of domestic and European trophies.
Alexandre Lacazette: Alexandre Lacazette has been a part of Lyon’s youth team since 2003 till he broke into the first team in 2010. He was Ligue 1’s top scorer and Player of the Year in the 2014-15 season. A technically brilliant player who boasts of composure, balance, work rate and finishing ability. His link-up play has always been praised. Gerard Houllier compared his style to Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
Samuel Umtiti: The Barcelona centre-back joined Lyon from Menival in 2002. He became a regular feature soon after making his debut in 2012. He joined Barcelona in 2016 for a transfer fee of 25 million Euros and by the end of the 2016-17 season he established himself as the first choice centre-back alongside Gerard Pique. He helped his country lift the 2018 World Cup in Russia. As a centre back, he is good on the ball with a quite remarkable passing ability.
Corentin Tolisso: Tolisso was one of the academy graduates who starred in Lyon’s highly successful 2014-15 campaign. He became Bayern Munich’s most expensive players when he signed for 41m Euros in 2017. He spent a fairly successful campaign in Germany before winning the World Cup in Russia where he started a couple of matches. He is a good passer of the ball and has the ability to score a few piledrivers. His current season was cut short as he ruptured a cruciate ligament in a league match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Anthony Martial: The mercurial winger of Manchester United is also a product of Lyon’s academy. He spent his early years in CO Les Ulis, known for producing players like Henry and Evra, before moving to Lyon’s academy. He won the Golden Boy award in 2015, the same year Manchester United broke the bank for him. He proved to be success and his early performances led to former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claiming “He can do anything.”
Other notable players : Hatem Ben Arfa, Clement Grenier, Maxim Gonalons.
Recently retired prominent players include the likes of Ludovic Giuly, Sidney Govou and Frederic Kanoute.
Who will be the next big product?
Willem Guebbels has got a high ceiling among the recent graduates. The player have been acquired by AS Monaco for 20 million Euros. Geubbels became the youngest Europa League Debutant when he came on as a substitute against Atalanta. He is being dubbed as the next Kylian Mbappe, though it is too early to compare him with the player who has had one of the most metioric rises in recent football history. He is a pacy and dynamic wide player who loves to take runs. He is good in take-ons and can finish off his chances. Definitely the one to look forward to. Amine Gouiri is another player from Lyon’s academy who can make it big as well.
Football Observatory have rated Lyon’s the best French Youth Academy. They tend to produce skilled, technically strong players with composure on the ball. Not only the academy graduates, Lyon has a knack of nurturing young talents like Tanguy Ndombele. Credits to their youth promoting policy, Lyon has emerged as one of the most decorated talent hubs in Europe.
– Sanmitro Chatterjee and Supratim Roy
The Sport Catalogue 