Thomas Lemar was to be found as Atletico Madrid secured a rare 3-2 win over Barcelona on Thursday at the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup. It is a true drop from grace when a player that was tipped to climb to the top of this game a couple of years ago becomes the subject of ridicule. Such is the case with Lemar in the Wanda Metropolitano. A move to the capital in the summer of 2017 was favoured over Arsenal as well as Liverpool. In hindsight, it is hard to see how the French forwards would have proved to be a success beneath Diego Simeone given the stark contrast between mindset and the player’s style to that of team that is new and his supervisor. Simeone’s fierce nature has carried on at the dugout to his time from his days as a participant. The Argentine ends a match as worn out as the majority of the players around the pitch. He demands the same and holds back nothing. Little wonder then, his group maintains a high level of intensity stays compact and hard to break down. Players such as Diego Godin Gabi, Koke and Diego Costa have excelled under his tutelage over the past few years by exemplifying qualities. Comparing them is like comparing night and day. They are opposites. While the former favour aggression and demanding tackling on the area of drama, the latter favours slickness and prioritises the use of the brain over brawn. In fact, Lemar showed while in the summit of his abilities at Monaco years ago that he”attempts to steer clear of duels and targets passing and movement,” pointing out Andres Iniesta as his character model from the match.
After scoring 14 goals and setting up another 18 to assist Monaco the diminutive winger became a man. Sides looking for the next talents that would help them achieve their goals began to circle. It was a matter of picking the right fit. Together with Arsenal and Liverpool in the combination, that seemed like a simple choice to make. Arsene Wenger was decided to re-engineer a spark in his team that was underperforming in order to silence the critics. Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, was hoping to bring Liverpool from the wilderness. It came as a surprise to many that the Caen youth product would favour a move to Atletico instead. Whether this has been due to his agent’s influence than any other factor is unclear. However, Simeone’s recent comments suggest it is all in the combination. The gaffer held nothing back at the club in his evaluation of the player’s time whilst speaking to the media. He stated in terms that the Frenchman has failed to live up to expectations in the Spanish capital. This would leave the if not to secure a move away during the transfer window.
And why not? Although the manager is well within his rights to make such untoward comments. Having splashed £52.7 million to the versatile forward, he was expected to supply the goals and aids that would help Los Rojiblancos dominates both La Liga and Europe. Regrettably, over the duration of 17 months and 64 appearances, Lemar has contributed only three goals and six assists. Despite making 21 appearances in all competitions for the side, none of them have come this season. Having failed to acquire the trust of the manager, a move away will probably be involved.The chance may not be there. But the likes of Tottenham Chelsea as well as Lyon back home could provide the right environment to help him rediscover his kind. Frank Lampard gets got the Blues playing with some wonderful football favouring free-flowing attacking play that is slick but the end product has been poor. Under the present regime, Lemar find his scoring boots again and would definitely flourish at Stamford Bridge. The same will apply at Tottenham.Back home, Lyon needs backup for the wounded Memphis Delay and Jeff Reine-Adelaide. Lemar will slot into the side perfectly. He’ll also add much-needed quality to some group which has struggled to replicate the success of previous years. For the participant, that will function to fix an error in judgement that’s threatening to destroy a once-blossoming career.
