Seydoux Stresses That Puel Will Stay

By: Julien | June 11th, 2008

Dumb and Dumber
LOSC Lille Métropole president Michel Seydoux stresses that Claude Puel will infact continue managing Les Dogues:
“I understand the nervousness of the fans. I came to Lille to develop. I only defend the interests of the club. For me the Claude Puel affaire has been finished for awhile now. He will be at the June 23rd return (training).”
Seydoux is trying to close the door on a possible Puel move. Let’s look at a probable next season scenario: Claude Puel manages Lille again next season, but hinders the club’s development. If he doesn’t want to be at Lille you can’t expect him to produce good results. His stay doesn’t guarantee that. It is very possible that he would really slack since he most likely won’t put everything into the club like he did in the past. We are probably in for some blunt post-match press conferences next season: “Well you know I think it was time for the club to move on without me awhile ago.”

Oscar Ewolo Waits: Lille has been interested in Oscar Ewolo, a Congolese defensive midfielder. Ewolo is 30 years old and currently plays for FC Lorient. He wants to transfer to Lille, but he chooses to wait to see if Lorient will sign Morgan Amalfitano. Basically, he is concerned that his playing time will be significantly reduced if they sign Amalfitano:

“I am waiting for now. Futhermore, the chances are great that things will not settle quickly and I will return to training with Lorient on June 23rd. If the club recruits Morgan, he will play. I am not leaving yet, but it is very probable that I will leave Lorient.”

Moussa Narry: Lille seems intent on signing at least one additional defensive midfielder. Moussa Narry is another defensive midfielder that Lille is attempting to sign. The 22 year old currently plays for the Tunisian club Étoile Sportive du Sahel. There he won the CAF Champions League. Narry sounds promising. It sounds like he has good experience from playing in the CAF Champions League. The pressure to perform in a tournament like that really helps players grow mentally and physically.

Antoine Sibierski: Former LOSC player, Antoine Sibierski, may return to his hometown. He is a 34 year old striker that played in the English Premier League last season for Wigan Athletic. He only scored 3 in 26 matches last season. Right now Lille and Le Mans are vying for the aging striker.

Where Will Sylva Go? We still don’t know where Tony Sylva will play next season. So far he could end almost anywhere in France. Turkey is another possibility since Trabzonspor will soon give Lille an offer for the keeper.

Paul Le Guen Wants Lichtsteiner Le Guen is keen on signing Stephan Lichtsteiner. Why I don’t know. Maybe he saw something in the Czech Republic/Switzerland match that caught his eye. According to Foot Transferts, PSG wants to sign the Swiss defender quickly. Lichtsteiner will play in a must win Euro 2008 match against Turkey today. Olympique Lyonnais is another suitor.