Just caught up with someone I worked with briefly at one point, who is a French football writer and a Lille fan. Here's what he's sent me... I really like Puel. It was his Lille team that I fell in love with. He brought through Cabaye and Debuchy. Likes to play on the counter, has always tried to attack on some level. Defence hasn't always been great, but more down to the players he's had. Develops youth well. Just look at that Nice team, and also the way he's tamed Ben Arfa. His face just didn't fit at Lyon. Great track record everywhere else in France. Obviously impossible to say how well he'd do in England. That's the hard part. If he is confirmed, you'd want him to hijack the move for Nampalys Mendy to Leicester. Brilliant holding mid.
I'm stating to warm to the idea of Saint Claude! I think probably the thing over the youngsters has tipped me more into the positive side of the scale. Not that I was negative before, just sceptical.
Claudy, Claudy Puel....Claudy, Claudy Puel.... To the tune of Daddy Cool by Boney M. Even the Northam can manage that.
I'm guessing his son or even sons will be our first signings. They seem to follow him from club to club and he gets in a right twiswas if they are realised. France's Tony Pulis.
As long as they haven't got some 'future' international goalkeeper who turns out to be not good enough for the Commercial Houses League.
Today or tomorrow I would have thought.....when is it the players come back and have their fitness test?
With some of the squad having just finished or still involved in the Euro 2016 tournament, don't expect to see the full complement until the end of July.
If we get a tamed, happy Ben Arfa (possibly the stand out player in the whole Ligue 1 last year) then we will be a significantly stronger team for it. Him buzzing around Long would make me excited.
It's not often that I look at a footballer and think "He's exactly like...." but I've always thought that Tadic is/was exactly like Ben Arfa. Presumably Tadic will also be a significantly cheaper option too, given that he's already ours!
Thank you for your research and info on this chap. Id never heard of him before now so good to get some first hand info. Maybe he suits Saints, i just trust Les & co to get it right. Very odd how we roll over managers ( and players ) these days, even whilst going through a successful period of time.. i cant ever see it changing for Saints though given the size and location of the club. Impressed that Vardy has decided to stay at Leicester City.
If Claude doesn't fall into place soon, I'l be having very serious doubts we're actually after a manager with a proven track record & then, just maybe ....................................................................... Sir Les will put himself forward!
