With his shorts pulled up to the lower abdomen and his jersey tucked inside, Jean Lucas looks straight out of the 80s. A first impression quickly swept away when you realize the modern profile of the midfielder he is. .
By putting down his suitcases in Lyon in June 2019, the native of Rio takes the plunge and discovers Europe after showing some beginnings of his talent in the Brazilian championship.
At 21, he is described as one of the country's greatest potentials.
But now, as often with young players from the other side of the world, Jean Lucas struggles to win in a Lyon workforce which is full of talent in his post.
Reine-Adelaide, Tousart, Caqueret, Thiago Mendes and even Houssem Aouar stand in his way.
He will only be established once in the league during his first season with Les Gones.
However, the former Flamengo player is patient and determined to win his place.
"In my life, nothing has been easy," he said in an interview with
Lyon Capitale
in 2019. I always had to earn my place. ”
But now, a season and a half later, Jean Lucas can not boast of having upset the hierarchy.
The arrival of his compatriot, Bruno Guimarães, in January 2020, coupled with the non-qualification of OL for European competitions, will even have the opposite effect and the young Brazilian midfielder will only start once in of the first part of the 2020-21 season.
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A click and a loan (paying)
Confined to a place on the OL bench, the story of Jean Lucas and the Rhone club really clicked one evening in December 2020. OL then led 2-1 in a match rather controlled by Rudi's men Garcia facing the Stade Brestois (a little nod from fate in passing).
Established alongside Aouar and Caqueret, Bruno Guimarães begins to stick his tongue out while Jean Lucas is the last available midfielder among the replacements.
Finally, the Lyon coach will prefer the entry of Sinaly Diomandé and the passage in the middle of Jason Denayer.
OL will concede a draw (2-2) in the final minutes following a penalty converted by Romain Faivre (92nd).
An episode badly lived by Jean Lucas who then expresses the wish to his leaders to be loaned in order to gain playing time during the second part of the season.
For its part, the Stade Brestois accuses the blow of the departure of Ibrahima Diallo in the last hours of the transfer window.
The Franco-Senegalese environment will ultimately not be replaced.
The Breton leaders, Gregory Lorenzi at the head of the procession, then throw themselves on the opportunity and bring Jean Lucas on loan to finish the season.
"This loan must be a winner for OL, the player and for us," declared the Breton sports director when the Brazilian arrived.
"I had to make room for it"
Olivier Dall'Oglio
Arrived in Finistère on January 12, Jean Lucas takes a few days to settle in the midfield rotation with two Brest.
Haris Belkebla and Paul Lasne are the two steadfast midfielders of Olivier Dall'Oglio's 4-4-2.
However, the technician Ty'Zef will modify his animation to integrate the young Brazilian without "upsetting the principles of the team", according to the words of the coach.
Jean Lucas is first established in the position of attacking midfielder in Strasbourg (2-2, on February 3) before being established in the double piston at the expense of Haris Belkebla this Wednesday during the victory against Dijon (3 -1).
The Algerian had however been established during each exit of Stade Brestois in Ligue 1 this season.
A choice that paid off for Olivier Dall'Oglio and the Bretons in view of the performance of Jean Lucas.
Indeed, the Brazilian's first half appears to be one of his best since his arrival in France.
We play the 17th minute when he inherits the ball in his own camp and throws Franck Honorat in depth for the opener.
Proof of his ability to recover the beauty, Jean Lucas then demonstrates that he can turn into a real conductor in the last 30 meters opposing.
His rake followed by a ladle for Irvin Cardona in the 40th minute testifies to all the class and his palette more than complete.
Undoubtedly one of the striking images of this 28th day of Ligue 1. His second assist of the match allows the Brestois to make another break against the Dijon red lantern (3-1).
After the meeting, the Brazilian appears with a broad smile, symbol of a newfound pleasure in playing.
"Last year, I did not play a lot in Lyon, in Brest I can play, I can do things and I am very happy," he declared as he left the pitch.
After having returned to victory against a very poorly embarked Dijonnais to maintain itself, it is a challenge of another magnitude that looms in front of the Brestois with the arrival of PSG this Saturday (9 p.m.) for the round of 16 of Coupe de France.
It remains to be seen whether Jean Lucas will confirm his excellent midweek performance.
One thing is certain, the Brazilian has found a club to his dimension and will be able to continue to make his hand in Ligue 1 until the end of the season.
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