Name: Clement Grenier

Club: Lyon

Nationality: France

Position: Midfield

Who is he?

A Lyon youth academy product, Grenier initially joined the club aged 11. After progressing through the ranks alongside Alexandre Lacazette, Maxime Gonalons and Samuel Umtiti, he was linked with a number of top European clubs during his teens. But he remained at the Stade Gerland, signing his first professional contract in 2008 and made his debut in September 2009.

Achievements

The 22-year-old has started to establish himself in a team that is being rebuilt after the hangover from the mid-2000s heyday.

This season, the advanced midfielder made 28 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring seven times.

His good form has also caught the eye of France manager Didier Deschamps who called him up for the friendlies against Uruguay and Brazil. Previously he had been part of the France team that reached the semi-finals of the 2011 U20 World Cup.

Attributes

Grenier can play on the right of midfield but his best position is in the centre as an attacking midfielder just behind the striker. An excellent dribbler, technically strong and a brilliant free-kick taker (watch a wonderful recent finish against Nice below), he is a creative hub for Lyon.

He provided six assists this season, to put him in the Top 20 in Ligue 1 and was also in the Top 20 in terms of key passes  per game. His cross completion rate of 26 per cent is also solid.

Potential

Grenier allegedly has a buy-out clause of €8 million and reports suggest Arsene Wenger is very interested in bringing him to Arsenal where he could mould him as a playmaker.

His style of play is reminiscent to the current and former Gunners like Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri which suggests he could thrive at the Emirates.

Plays a bit like…Because of his set-piece ability and his silky skills he is known as “Juninho’s little brother”, a tribute to the former Lyon and Brazil star Juninho Pernambucano. Meanwhile Arsene Wenger has compared him to Samir Nasri. 

(Ligue1Official)