Breakage of the century? It is more or less like this that the transfer of Lucas Tousart to Hertha Berlin, during the winter transfer window, was presented. € 25 million excluding bonuses in OL, which keeps the middle of 22 years old until the end of the season. The breakage of the century, implying that the native of Arras, raised in Aveyron and previously passed by Rodez and Valenciennes, is worth much less than this sum. Besides, his departure did not only make people unhappy in the Lyon cottages, Tousart being regularly criticized. By supporters, but also by many observers. And even ... Juninho, the former idol of Gerland who mentioned a player "physical" but not "technically end" at the very beginning of his mandate as sports director. "We are not in the world of Care Bears and we must accept the criticism," replied Tousart. Whether it's from the club or from outside, it's not a problem. ”
The coaches pass, Tousart still plays
Note that "Juni" returned to these words a few weeks after this awkward outing, making his mea-culpa ("Maybe I misspoke"). This is not the case for everyone, for all the “opponents” of Tousart, all those who think that he has no place on the field. In any case not in a club of the caliber of OL, opponent of PSG this Sunday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, at the end of the 24th day of Ligue 1. Except that the coaches who have succeeded each other since the arrival of the former international U21 (22 selects), Bruno Genesio, Sylvinho and now Rudi Garcia, they have always trusted Lucas Tousart. He has worn the Gones jersey 158 times (5 goals). The coaches pass, he still plays. It is not a coincidence.
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All things considered, the middle of the OL is close in this to a certain Blaise Matuidi. Often criticized for its lack of technical finesse, but which still manages to make itself essential. Certainly, Tousart is not the kind of player to make bright crosses, to multiply the wheels or to score goal on goal. He is not a pianist, he is a laborer. "A machine," swore Memphis Depay last year. "We call him the scavenger," smiled Anthony Lopes, in 2017. "He is very mature despite his young age," promised Bruno Genesio, in 2019. Little waste, but which takes little risk too. A defensive midfielder, a real one. With Lucas Tousart, we know what we have and what we don't have. And generally, it is when this kind of player leaves that we realize that they miss ...
"This transfer freed me and it is felt indirectly on the ground"
Lucas Tousart"The club and I had the opportunity to settle this from the winter transfer window," says Tousart, who signed up to 2025 at the Hertha BSC. This transfer freed me and it is felt indirectly on the ground. I've been in Lyon for a long time, I needed to know something new. "Despite the new ambitions of the German club, coached by former Nationalmannschaft legend, Jürgen Klinnsmann, there is no doubt that Tousart will know , sooner or later, take a chance, again. With his qualities, without taking himself for another. "At the start I was not necessarily in the plans for this season," he notes. But I don't give up, I don't get discouraged. Through hard work, I managed to play a lot of matches (32 in 2019-20). You can count on me, there will be no relaxation between now and the end of the season, "promises the future ex-Lyonnais, who also sees himself well" finishing as central defender. It's only a question of the year (laughs). ”
In the meantime, it is in the middle that he will play in Paris, if Rudi Garcia calls on him for this clash between the last two French clubs competing in the Champions League. A match which should allow OL to restart the first after a defeat in Nice (1-2) and a draw against Amiens (0-0). "We will try to hang a result in Paris," he promises. His grinta and his qualities of balloon scraper will not be too much to thwart the plans of Kylian Mbappé and company, that's for sure…
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