With Lyon on the way to top form
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There are almost six and a half years, nine devaluations and a free transfer from FC Bayern to Olympique Lyon between the market value increase for Corentin Tolisso on December 10th and the previous one. Most recently, the market value of the Bundesliga’s former record purchase went from 5 million to 7 million euros and on the pitch, Tolisso is approaching his former best form after years of injury problems.
“I feel good, I think what has changed compared to previous years is that I am really physically ready,” said the 2018 world champion and 2020 treble winner after the 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League. Tolisso contributed an assist – it was his 19th appearance out of 20 possible games this season. “I feel that I am able to repeat the efforts, I take it one game at a time and that does me a lot of good. I deliver one good performance after another, which gives me self-confidence.”
When asked whether he could get back to his top form, the 30-year-old said: “In my last year at OL I scored 14 goals. I’m still a long way from that, so they’ll say I’m back to my best level when I score 14 goals.” Tolisso is referring to the 2016/17 season, when he scored 14 goals and seven assists in 47 games piqued the interest of Bayern, who signed him for 41.5 million euros. He never came close to such values again, both in games and in terms of scorer points.
Former coach Roche on Tolisso: “Plays with athletic dedication again”
This season he could break the 40-game mark again and do so as a regular starter. Judging by the scores from the French trade magazine “L’Équipe”, Tolisso is currently the best midfielder in Ligue 1. Things have been going well in the domestic league recently, Lyon are unbeaten in nine games and climbed to 5th place – it starts on Sunday evening Completion of the 15th matchday with league leaders PSG in the Parc des Princes.
Tolisso shines in the OL squad as a leading player who contributes both on defense and also repeatedly appears dangerously in the penalty area. Stéphane Roche, who was in charge of Olympique Lyon’s youth teams from 2009 to 2018, told the “L’Equipe“ about his former protégé: “He is playing with athletic dedication again and you can feel that he has complete confidence in his body. After all, I think he always had the motivation to return. In Lyon he wants to say goodbye through the big door.”
Tolisso’s contract is dated until 2027 and if he fulfills this, he could overtake club legends such as Juninho Pernambucano in the record player statistics. The Brazilian free-kick virtuoso played 343 games for OL from 2001 to 2009 – Tolisso has played 243 games to date, ranking him 29th in Olympique’s history.