He arrived escorted by a flattering reputation in the summer of 2019. OL was delighted to have snatched Thiago Mendes, brilliant all season at Losc, for 22 million euros. But the grass is visibly less green in the Rhône. At the time when Rudi Garcia finally found the right formula in the middle with the trident Tousart, Guimarães, Aouar, the Brazilian stayed by the road.
“He must be better than his competitors. You have to be one of the best players to join the team, ”insisted the Lyon coach this week. And, since the start of the season, Mendes hasn't shone. “It is true that it is below what it could produce last season. He seems less confident, ”explains Patrice Garande, the former coach of Caen.
The tackle of Aulas
However, the midfielder had a chance. First under Sylvinho, then since the arrival of Garcia, he has nevertheless, for example, accumulated 22 appearances in Ligue 1. “This is also his first season. Some adapt more quickly than others to an environment, a style of play ", tempers Philippe Violeau, triple French champion with OL in the 2000s." Everything is going well with Thiago in the group. He always has a smile, he brings his zest for life ”, confides a player. But that is not enough.
His insufficient performances did not please the OL boss very much: “Some disappoint me. I will not quote them, they will recognize each other. Last season they were the best at their clubs. Today, they are the shadow of themselves ”, dropped Jean-Michel Aulas at the end of October in L'Equipe. Mendes felt concerned. Well Named.
In addition to his difficulties on the ground, he has also been caught on social media since the beginning of February. Decried for supposed festive and nocturnal evenings. Attacked, too, on his lifestyle. His partner is very active and very followed on these platforms, notably Instagram. OL had to communicate to defend it, but within the club, in private, the irritation was palpable.
"I only decide based on sporting criteria"
New incident a few days ago. After the success against Juve (1-0), where Mendes is 19th man and in the stands, his partner publishes on Instagram a photo of her with a clown mask… For several days, following a photomontage of Rudi Garcia published by a Twitter user and blocked by OL, many Internet users comment and skilfully, with montages of the Lyonnais trainer dressed as a clown, the publications of the official twitter account of the club. OL will not react.
Just after, Mendes will not be in the group, nor against Saint-Etienne (2-0), nor against PSG (1-5) and no more this Sunday evening in Lille. "I only decide based on sporting criteria," says Garcia. We have a strong institution that manages these extrasportive things. I do not need to enter the circus of social networks. Sportingly, the downgrade is obvious to the Brazilian. Midfielder number 1 with Aouar on his arrival, he is now behind the latter, Tousart, Guimarães, but also Caqueret and Jean Lucas. Times are hard.