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Elsewhere, the grass is always greener. The expression, sometimes wearing the habit of unchanging truth, has something to be wondering about as its hidden meaning often tends to confirm the deceptive optical effect left by this popular saying. However, it is clear that for some footballers, this tender, sparkling and hoped-for green – from a football field which, for the beauty of the image, is regularly sprinkled with nitrogen fertilizers and abundantly watered – sometimes opens sparkling new horizons. A winter focus that looks like a trip, leading us to travel around Europe with the aim of retracing these daring challenges that began last summer. As such, let’s get on board, first of all, with Giovanni Simeone. “I’m having a great time. I have worked so hard, I am happy because I have found my balance. Everything is going well, I have partners around me who give everything, which I greatly appreciate. It gives me energy and confidence ”, recently declared the goleador of Mastini.
Arrived to Verona in the form of a paid loan (1.5 M €) with purchase option (11 M €) from Cagliari, the Argentinian international (5 caps, 1 goal) was perfectly melted into the new decor of Marcantonio-Bentegodi. Because among the Simeones, football is in the blood. Diego, the reigning Spanish champion, has masterfully led Atlético de Madrid since December 2011, one of the clubs where he excelled when he was a player. And since the start of the season, his son Giovanni has been back on the path to great form. Revealed at River Plate then Banfield, the Argentine striker has already shone in Italy, on the side of Fiorentina, Genoa and therefore Cagliari. But what about his arrival in northern Italy. 12 goals, 3 assists in 18 Serie A matches, the native of Madrid, third top scorer in the championship behind Ciro Immobile (13) and Dusan Vlahovic (16), is enjoying himself and has largely contributed to the thirteenth place of Gialloblu. Special mention also to Beto on loan from Portimonense to Udinese and author of 7 goals in 16 matches in the Italian league during these first six months.
Giovanni Simeone is a hit in Verona, “Grizou” is relaunching!
And it is not only in Italy where the players find certain happiness in the loan. In Spain, the most striking example is undoubtedly that of Willian José (30 years old). In loss of playing time on the side of Real Sociedad, the native of Porto Calvo had experienced an inconclusive first loan with Wolves last winter (a small goal and a single assist in 18 matches in all competitions). Once again on loan from Txuri-urdinak this summer, the Brazilian striker has been doing Betis since the heyday. Great architect of the surprising third place of the Verdiblancos in the league, the 30-year-old striker, under contract with Real until June 2024, already has 6 goals and 5 assists in 20 matches in all competitions and appears from then as an indisputable framework of the Heliopolitanos, well established on the podium.
Also in La Liga, let us also note the certain rebirth of Antoine Griezmann, on loan from FC Barcelona to Atlético de Madrid. Back with the Colchoneros after a more than contrasted stint in Catalonia, the French international striker (102 caps, 42 goals) finds some colors either with the Blues or in the Rojiblancos jersey. With Atleti, Grizou has already planted three times in the league, achievements accompanied by two assists and a more than interesting performance in the Champions League. Qualified for the round of 16 where they will meet Manchester United, Diego Simeone’s men can especially thank Griezmann, very efficient during the group stage (4 goals, 1 assist in 5 games) and essential during the chopper match won against Porto (3-1 with an assist and a goal for the native of Mâcon).
In Ligue 1, many loaned players also express themselves perfectly and, as such, Olympique de Marseille is not left out. Authors of an XXL summer transfer window, the Phoceans have also strengthened themselves through various loans. If the record of a Cengiz Ünder, under contract with AS Roma until June 2023, remains mixed although honorable (5 goals, 1 assist in 19 matches in all competitions), the name of William Saliba is defrayed as to him the chronicle. Since his arrival on loan from Arsenal, the Olympian defender has lined up the starts. With 23 games played, he is also one of the players most used by Jorge Sampaoli. And for good reason, the international hope shines for his calm, his authority and the quality of his recovery. In a few months, the native of Bondy simply revealed himself as the boss of the Marseille central hinge, the best defense in the championship.
Ligue 1 lends itself well to the game!
A success which can in particular be illustrated statistically since the former Stéphanois is, today, the player who has attempted and succeeded the most passes (1313/1395) this season in the elite. What offer him a place, deserved, in the typical team of the mid-season. And what about Mattéo Guendouzi (22), also on loan from the Gunners. After a more or less conclusive passage on the side of Hertha Berlin last season, the midfielder from Poissy impresses in the lair of the Vélodrome. Hair in the wind, the French international (1 cap) multiplies the rides and seems to stick perfectly to the DNA of OM. The centerpiece of Marseille midfield, the former Hake shows an assertive character that appeals to both Olympian supporters and his coach. Crowned with a first selection with the Blues, he also has 2 goals and 4 assists in the league.
Well off among the loaned players, the Phocéens can also rely on a powerful goalkeeper with the arrival of Pau Lopez. Landed on the Canebière with a loose shoulder, the Spanish porter, loaned by AS Roma, has, in fact, gradually established himself as an indisputable holder. 19 matches played in all competitions and 10 clean sheets, enough to relegate, please, Steve Mandanda on the substitute bench. With this in mind, special mention also for Ivo Grbic. At the same post, the Lille goalkeeper, on loan from Atlético de Madrid, had the heavy task of replacing Mike Maignan, who left for Milan. And despite the 8th place of his team, it is clear that the mission is partly successful for the young Croatian. Author of 5 clean sheets since the start of the season, the one who is under contract with the Colchoneros until June 2024 has above all been particularly decisive in the qualification of LOSC for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Finally and before continuing our tour of Europe, RC Lens can also boast of having in its ranks a conclusive loan in the person of Arnaud Kalimuendo. On loan from Paris Saint-Germain for the second season in a row, the 19-year-old striker continues to thrive in the Artesian jersey. After a first full season (31 games, 8 goals, 6 assists), the native of Suresnes continues and already has 6 goals in 17 games. Holder most of the time in a team at the top of the table (9th), the international French hopes remains in particular on two goals in two games before the winter break. At the end of the season, whoever is under contract with the Parisians until June 2024 should, however, leave the North since the Sang et Or have no purchase option. In the antechamber of Ligue 1, Thierno Baldé (19) also has fun in the skin of a loaned player. Sold, without a purchase option, until the end of the season in Le Havre, the defender of PSG, under contract until June 2023, is quite simply the revelation of the Norman club at the start of the season.
Pablo Sarabia roars again with the Leões!
With the second best defense in Ligue 2 (13 goals conceded), the Le Havre point to an encouraging sixth place and the one who was recently awarded a first with the France U20 team is, as such, one great craftsmen. Author of 16 matches in all competitions, the native of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, from his height of 1m82, has simply established himself as an indisputable holder in the right lane of the defense in Le Havre. Loaned by Lorient to Kasimpasa (Turkish D1), where Valentin Eysseric also plays, Umut Bozok (25) is also finding the net and the taste for the terrain. Scorer on Christmas Day against Altay (2-0) in the Championship, the former Nîmes now has 8 achievements in Süper Lig and thus points to fifth place in the scorers classification. What almost forget his four offerings in all competitions.
In the Premier League, another player also expresses himself perfectly thanks to the loan: Conor Gallagher. At 21, the young English midfielder has, in fact, found his place with the Crystal Palace of Patrick Vieira where he is loaned by Chelsea. With a very beautiful technique, able to keep the ball or even play in small spaces, the one who comes back from afar after an operation for heart problems is sometimes even compared to the legendary Frank Lampard. Winner of the U17 World Cup, captain many times in all youth categories of the Blues, the midfielder does not go, in any case, not unnoticed and has a sparkling start to the season. Centerpiece of the Eagles system, tenth in the league, the native of Epsom has a series of tenure and already has 6 goals and 3 assists in 18 matches in all competitions. Talented, with a great vision of the game and a heavy strike, the former Charlton or West Bromwich Albion was even rewarded by Gareth Southgate with a first selection with the Three Lions last November ( 10-0 victory over San Marino in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers).
Finally, let’s go to Portugal where Pablo Sarabia (29), barred by the competition and loaned without an option to buy by Paris Saint-Germain, fully relives in the Sporting jersey. On the impetus of a last successful Euro with La Roja, the Spanish attacking midfielder seems, in fact, to blend perfectly into the decor of his new club and enjoys great popularity among Lisbon fans and its leaders. Established as a left or right winger, the former Sevillian shines with the Lions, still undefeated and tied on points with FC Porto in the lead. In 23 matches, in all competitions, the 29-year-old left-hander has a flattering statistical record with 7 goals and 5 assists. Equally successful in the Champions League, the Madrilenian has, moreover, largely contributed to the qualification of the Portuguese for the round of 16 of the competition where they will find Manchester City. A rebirth which then pushes the Lisbon club to position itself to keep it at the end of the season, but the competition promises to be fierce.
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