Olympique Lyonnais fell short in the French Ligue 1 title race this season, with a dip in form between February and April coinciding with eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain enjoying an eight-game winning streak that swung the pendulum their way. But Lyon won’t be too disheartened with the way their season panned out, as next season they will be in the Champions League group stages for the first time in three years, which could ensure they hold onto their standout performers this summer.
Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly keen on a number of players from the squad, and are looking to make their interest official very soon, potentially in the form of a bid. Lyon know without adding any trophies to the cabinet, it’s a near impossible task to convince their stars to turn down moves to the top European sides, but how close they came to winning the title this season could see many giving it one more year before considering their future.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette is the most coveted star in the team, and the one play Lyon are most desperate to keep. The 24-year-old scored 27 goals in 33 league games this season, and has been linked with near every elite European side this summer as a result. He’s expressed little desire to leave, however, and the club are confident he will stay for at least another term, which could see many replicate his actions.
Lyon were unbeaten against every side in the top-four of the French Ligue 1, which showcases how strong they are compared to the rest of the field. Paris Saint-Germain had to settle for a share of the spoils in both home and away games against The Kids, and 2015/16 could see the Parisians stronghold on the domestic league finally broken.
PSG have a host of ageing players in the team, whose eventual exits could well have an adverse affect on the fortunes of the club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns 34 later this year, while teammates Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Thiago Motta, Ezequiel Lavezzi are all 40 and over. Lyon are certainly going in the right direction, and if they can keep their bet talents at the club this summer, while shoring up any positions they are somewhat weak in, next season’s title could be theirs. They certainly have all the makings for a side capable of going all the way providing they start strongly, as they dropped 13 points in their opening eight games this campaign.
Olympique Lyonnais to pip Paris Saint-Germain to next season’s French Ligue 1 title?
