Before shaking the defenses of the flat country, Georges Mikautadze spent most of his training in Lyon, his hometown.
Not retained by OL, upgraded to AS Saint-Priest
A remarkable debut at FC Gerland is worth Gone of Georgian origin joined Olympique Lyonnais from the age of 7. Just a year after signing his first club license, the little striker couldn’t ask for better. However, at the age of 14, he is not kept by the club, which considers him athletically behind. It is at AS Saint-Priest, the second regional talent provider behind OL, that he bounces back. Under his new colors, he quickly demonstrated the extent of his talent and joined the group of U17 Nationals, coached by Samir Guemazi. The educator says: “He came from the OL U16s and, in his first year with us, he has had a superb season as a center forward, scoring 20 goals in 17 matches. Such statistics in the French league reveal a potential. I have rarely seen a player so good at the finish. “
“Not difficult to see that he was above”
Because Mikautadze is a scorer, a real one, never satisfied in front of the cages. Coach of U19 san-priots at the time, Lionel Bah remembers: “We made one or two oppositions per month with the U17 Nationals of Samir. And it was simple, Georges scored every time. It was not difficult to see that he was above. So I took him with me for the end of the season, over the last seven or eight games. “
Outclassed, he impresses even his older teammates: “At 17, he was ahead of the others in terms of movement, technique, playing without the ball, finishing… What surprised me the most was during my specific attacking sessions on Monday . The other players, all older, admired his efficiency. These are signs that never deceive ” explains Lionel Bah. The current coach of the pennant team, playing in N2, even regrets not having seen the player rise to the big boys: “At the time the seniors were in National 3 and I think he could have joined the group for the end of the season. This is the only regret I have about his career with us. ”
Signature at FC Metz and first minutes in Ligue 1
As a logical continuation in his rise, he left the family cocoon to fly to the Moselle and the FC Metz training center: « I remember his arrival, his coach was Sébastien Tambouret (editor’s note: now in charge of U19 at OM). He had difficulties to win at the beginning, with entries into play where he was not sharp. “ remembers Bastien Melet, category manager at the Garnets. “He didn’t appear in the squad for a few games. Then, he resurfaced during a Gambardella match where he scored after entering during the game. This goal was the trigger for him and he did not leave the group until the end of the season. “
“You must not believe that he is scoring because there is no one in front”
The following year, Mikautadze was more in demand by the reserve, which did not prevent him from scoring goals on goals.. His good performances in N3 at the start of the 2019-2020 season were rewarded by an entry into play with the pros, on December 7, 2019 in the 83rd minute of a match against OGC Nice. Three days later, he signed his first professional contract for a period of three years. Christmas before its time. Then followed a loan to RFC Seraing, promoted to the Proximus League last season, where he made a thunderous debut. Anything but a surprise for Lionel Bah: “ It doesn’t surprise me that he scores so much in Belgium. I know the second division a bit from having coached the Royal White Star in Brussels and, frankly, it’s a good level. You must not believe that he scores because there is no one in front, he is a hyper talented kid who has managed his probable frustration at having been loaned. ”
????⚫️ Relive Georges Mikautadze’s masterclass in pictures this evening ???? https://t.co/inMdUXatdu
– Official Seraing RFC (@ RfcSeraing167) August 24, 2020
An ultra-complete attacker
What makes the strength of the Rhone striker? His composure and versatility. Evoking a player “Worker, hence his rather impressive progress”, Bastien Melet takes a look at his (many) strengths: « He is fast (with or without the ball), has both feet and has a very big ball strike. Comfortable on set pieces too, with above average technique. He also has this ability to eliminate his opposite in the 1 on 1 which makes him a confusing player for his opponents. “
“I compared him a lot to Lacazette at the time”
Samir Guemazi confirms: “He’s a complete striker. When he was with us, at AS Saint-Priest, he had not yet finished his growth and perhaps lacked a little athleticism, but his bodywork and his intelligence allowed him to compensate. I compared him a lot to Lacazette at the time. He is 1m75 tall and his low center of gravity makes it difficult for defenders to pass him. ”
“The potential to play at the highest level”
Lionel Bah agrees: “Since I have been in Saint-Priest, he’s one of the players who has marked me the most. He was so technically easy and skilful in front of the goal. For the ASSP coach, no doubt: “He has the potential to play at the highest level. ”
Keeping in touch with the player, his coaches at the Sang & Or club in eastern Lyon have not missed any of his recent performances. Not surprised, Samir Guemazi completes the words of his counterpart:“Without being critical, when I see the level of certain attackers, I think that if we trust him and if we surround him well, you can be sure that he will score you goals, even in Ligue 1. In any case , he deserves better than a Belgian D2, I hope that his current performances will allow clubs to open their eyes, there is a very good center-forward on the market. “ The Franco-Georgian has already aroused the interest of many teams in the Jupiler League (Belgian D1) and in England. But, for now, it is RFC Seraing and FC Metz who are rubbing their hands.
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