Kolo could step in and do a job at LB but relying heavily on a 19 year old could be a problem. With the news of Toulalan leaving (played in DM and CB positions this year) and Diakhate returning to Kyiv at the end of his loan spell (played ~25 games at CB this year), Lyon only have a total of 6 defenders and only 2 CBs:
Cris (CB), Lovren (CB/RB/LB - a more mature version of Martin Kelly, already started to establish himself as a CB but when being introduced to the team plugged gaps at RB/LB), Revelliere (RB), Gassama (backup RB), Kolo (backup LB) and of course Cissokho (LB). They won't sell cheap, they really need a new CB/LB type of player (maybe someone like Sakho).
Also Cris is now 34yo (can't see him playing any longer than his 2013 contract) and Revelliere is now 31 (contract also up this year, not sure if it's been renewed). Lovren, Gassama, Kolo and Cissokho are all young with Cissokho being the oldest. If they sell Cissokho means that they will have a total of 5 defenders plus whoever they promote from youth system. Kolo made maybe 10 apps this year at LB, I think this coming year he will make 20 as they start to ease him in the team. Next season will be make or break for Cissokho and they will decide whether to keep or sell IMO. I don't expect movement this summer.
edit: He will not go for a penny less than €20m unless OL are in the business of losing money. OL are also heavily relying on the likes of Gonalans and Lovren to have good seasons because they sold their replacements and I don't think they will do the same again with the LB situation unless a big money offer comes in - if Cissokho had as good a season this year as he did the year before, I could see big money offers coming in, but he's had the worst season to date in his career. I'd still have him here in a heartbeat, I still think he will be the world's best LB in a few seasons, but only if he keeps progressing like he started to when he first arrived.
« Last Edit: Jun 06, 2011 03:01:49 pm by vitez »
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