It took three weeks for Olympique Lyonnais to get back on their feet, after the failure of the Tyrell Malacia case. In search of a left side after the end of Emerson Palmieri’s loan (generally disappointing), OL had indeed not been able to complete their priority choice, which was for the promising Dutch international from Feyenoord (22 years old) . The director of football, Vincent Ponsot, explained on July 1 “never endanger the institution for a player”, pointing to the entourage of Malacia, who immediately signed up with Manchester United. OL finally changed their profile by opting for the Argentinian Nicholas Tagliaficomuch more experienced (29 years, 40 caps with Albiceleste) but less explosive.
The defender, winner of the Copa Sudamericana with Club Atlético Independiente in 2017, has especially distinguished himself many times over the past four seasons, in the jersey of Ajax Amsterdam. If he had lost his starting spot in recent months to Daley Blind (30 games played in total, compared to 46 in 2018-2019), Nicolas Tagliafico remains one of the major players in Ajax’s superb 2019 Champions League campaign, which ended with a cruel semi-final against Tottenham (1-0; 2-3).
A position where no one has won since Ferland Mendy
Technically comfortable, the Argentinian international should bring a lot to OL in a position that has not had the slightest good pick since Ferland Mendy’s departure from Real Madrid in 2019. And given the amount invested, 4 ,2 million euros, it smells of the (new) good find of a summer transfer window for the Lyonnais, after the enthusiastic returns of Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso, as well as the arrival of the talented Caen midfielder Johann Lepenant and the extension of the Brazilian winger Mateus Tetê on loan.
Note that once again during this Lyon transfer window, the video formalizing the transfer of the winner of the last Copa America turns out to be as nice as it is original. After signing up until 2025 in Lyon on Friday, Nicolas Tagliafico immediately joined his new teammates, currently training in the Netherlands, where preparation matches will follow against Willem II this Saturday (4 p.m.) and against at Feyenoord on Sunday (4.45 p.m.).