Asked about the rumours linking him with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) has said at a press conference today that he will stay at least one more year with his club:
"I will stay at Lyon. I still have a lot of work to do, to make some steps forwards. I'm very good here at Lyon, the club takes part in the Champions League each season, I'm well-integrated. I will stay at Lyon next season.
I made my decision before the tie with Barcelona, although the games confirmed what I thought. I had said that I would made it after the 1/8 finals but I said that without thinking. I shouldn't have said that. Honestly, I've always wanted to stay with Lyon even when some bad results have made me doubt a little.
I still have to learn a lot, both on and off the pitch, before I join an absolute top team. I still have a long way to go. It's not that I don't feel ready. It's mainly mentally that I have to make progress. I'm only 21 years old, it's only my second season as starter at Lyon. I have plenty of years left to go to another club.
The results of Lyon this season won't have an influence. It's about me and the progress I still have to make to reach the highest level. The World Cup in 2010 didn't really influence my decision. I think president Aulas is relieved with my decision. But, together with my father, I already talked with him before. I have a career plan and my stay here hasn't ended."
Read more:
Abidal doesn't want to be part of Benzema deal
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
Barcelona in pole position for Benzema
Friday 13 March 2009
Benzema will stay at Lyon next season
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11 comments:
Tottenham's Giovani Dos Santos has joined Ipswich on loan for the rest of the season... (hahahah)
sounds like the good and sensible thing to do. but we need a back up striker now, Villa will probably go to City.
off topic, but giovanni dos santos is going to be loaned out to ipswich town.. he complained about lack of opportunities at barca and he cant even get a place at lousy tottenham.. poor boy, but it was him who made it happen. hopefully he´ll improve and barca will be able to get some more money out of the deal that sent him to london...
Probably the best decision for Benzema himself, I think he'd love to join Barca but is aware that the old-guard shift in terms of central striking is not there, I dont believe Henry or Etoo will leave this season, so I expect there to be more validity to the Benzema rumours next Summer.
However we do know that there a few positions up for grabs, and I think it's almost certain that Ribery or Silva will join ranks, and well you never know, we might bid for a player who isnt ready yet, just to keep other teams out - Aguero, Benzema, dont give up hope yet, I think it would be a shame if Barca didnt capitalise on one of them as future assets.
@ Kamikaze, I don't know if you have closely followed the Villa story but there is one thing he has made clear on several occasions, and that is that he does not want to leave Spain under any circumstances. This means the only clubs he is willing to join are Barcelona and Real Madrid. He's no mercenary either so team where he feels good means a lot more to him than a huge contract.
Regarding Benzema, I seriously think he is wasting his time in France. Sure, he still needs to learn a lot, but he'll never do that in a competition as weak (relatively to the other top leagues) as the French Ligue 1. He'd better join a team like Arsenal. They play his kind of football and he would be able to test himself in arguably the biggest league in the world at the moment.
I don't think we should sign him either though. Renewing Eto'o's contract should be the first priority (I haven't bought an €80 Eto'o shirt for nothing you know) and even if he does end up being sold, Villa should be our number one target. He has been absolutely immense for some time now and would be spectacular at Barça. His form over the last couple of seasons is especially remarkable because of the otherwise weak squad Valencia have.
And buying Benzema as a back-up is just nonsense. Give Bojan a chance I'd say. I think he has what it takes to become an important player for Barça, and even if he doesn't I'd rather end next season in failure having tried him instead of being successful without ever having given Bojan a chance.
It would be an incredible shame if we didn't give a potential icon and even captain of the team a decent chance at conquering his place in the starting line-up. I really hope Guardiola starts seeing this as well instead of giving playing time to Gudjohnsen, a player that wouldn't even make it at one of the relegation fighters of the Liga BBVA.
As i see more of Henry each game, I feel he has got another year with us to extend this season's performance. Eto' should remain with Barca forever, he is the most professional footballer I have ever seen..Messi(ah) is only ours...I dont think we need a player like Benzema, but someone like Ribery/ Podolski/ Silva will be handy. And since Villa doesnt want to leave Spain, he should be a perfect backup for Eto' or Messi. With Bojan improving every game he plays with us, I think we got a near perfect team except our defece has to sharpen a bit. I was really disappointed at our defence during Lyon 5-2 match when we shouldnt have let in that second goal..anyways no point in cribbing about that, past is past...but we should learn some defece tactics from some of the EPL teams like Pool or ManU..I hate these guys because of their long ball, defesive plays most of the time..but at the same time, I wish we can bring in a touch of their defesnsive style without even looking at their way of attacking, coz Barca attack will remain as footbal's most beautiful attack forever for sure. With Puyol, Marquez, Pique, Alves sharpening up their defensive skills, we dont need to make many changes for next season atleast...
benzema might be waiting for a spot @ madrid as well. their strikers arent getting younger...
if benzema wouldn't join us this summer than we can go for aguero. both aguero and benzema will become very very important players in the future.
Villa may prefer to stay in Spain but the club will also have its say and since the rest of City's targets are unrealistic they will probably make the biggest offer for him both personal terms and to the club. If they enter the bidding I think its most likely to go their way.
Fantastic, let's buy Villa.
...who needs this guy?...ribery or silva would be even better choices to support etoo and henry in the center...benzema didn't show enough to warrant his high prize...40-50 million?...25-30 should be the limit...he has a brilliant technic and a good handling on the ball,but that prize is crazy and an insult for players like batigol,trezeguet,zidane etc. who earned their prize with more than just talent...my opinion...
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