Lyon In Advanced Negotiations With Lille Target, Mbeng Joel

French juggernauts Olympique Lyonnais are in advanced negotiations with the club-side (CINYODEV) of Cameroon Under-17 international – Mbeng Joel, sportsglitz can confirm.

Known for their good scouting system recently backed by the signature of Brazilian midfielder Tete from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, and many others, the club has seen Mbeng as a long term replacement in the full-back role.

Lyon is looking to conclude the deal in the weeks ahead, but another franchise battling for the youngster is LOSC Lille. As per numerous sources, Lille have poked their noses fudstt, despite Lyon mounting pressure.

Why LOSC Lille Are favorites To Snap The Kid

Lille has carved out a particular reputation for itself, being the ultimate reservoir for youngsters, completely moulding them to superstars before letting them go to top clubs.

It is clear that at Lille, 17-year-old Mbeng will have good enough game time and will hit top potential with a good technical staff as back up. Just like the case of Under-17 teammate Carlos Balepa, a queue of top performances at youth set-ups could earn Mbeng breakthrough to the Lille senior squad.

CINYODEV FA and the players’ entourage will be set to make a decision regarding the player’s future before the end of the season, and in collaboration with Mbeng, pick the right deal for his career.

If OL succeeds to lure the talent, he will do several stops in France before eventually fully joining them next year.

Qualities of Mbeng Joel

Full-backs need to have incredible stamina to tear up and down their flank for the full duration of the match, and did someone call Mbeng in that description? Well, the aforementioned description epitomizes him!

Though the primary objective is to help the team keep a clean sheet, the modern game increasingly asks full-backs to contribute in the attacking third as well, and the CINYODEV man does that with aplomb.

He supports his wingers out wide while making sure he drops back into position at any moment’s notice.

90 minutes of hard work.

Also, having a great turn of pace helps Mbeng in counter attacking situations as it allows him to get back into position quicker or to be an option out wide when the team is attacking.

Great Awareness and Decision-Making

Since full-backs are required to attack and defend (as we’ve talked about), some can easily get caught out of position if they’re not careful.

Playing far up the field leaves a large chunk of space behind which they need to be aware of at all times.

Mbeng understands exactly when to play the ball to the winger or midfielder inside and also if he should attempt an overlap or not.

Fantastic Positioning

Being in the right position at exactly the right time is more important for full-backs than most other positions on the pitch.

Mbeng Joel’s positions he takes up defensively are crucial for keeping the team’s defense solid.

While it can be tempting to sprint forward and join the attack, he remains disciplined and does what’s best for the team at all times.

Technical Skills

Continuing out from the last point about positioning…

Unfortunately, being in the correct position is largely irrelevant if a player doesn’t have the technical skills to put in a great cross or keep the ball moving within the team.

Mbeng being a modern full-back has great ball control skills and he is able to play one touch passes with teammates.

Also, he runs with the ball at speed and has the dribbling skills to get out of a sticky situation when he finds himself in one.

Composed Under Pressure

A fullback needs to be calm and confident when he has the ball.

This is the best way to help the team keep possession and advance up field when the time is right to do so.

With the opposition’s winger constantly looking to test with their speed and bag of tricks, the U17 Lions’ fullback is alert and refrains from diving and committing a silly fouls.

Instead, he remains calm and looks to dispossess the winger or force them out wide away from goal.

Communication With Teammates

Being such an important position, the full-back must remain in constant communication with the teammates around him, something Mbeng Joel is fond of.

This alerts the others as to when he is going to push forward and help the midfielders know if they should stay back and drop into the space vacated.

Communication is a key factor between the teenager and his defenders.

He understands other’s game inside and out as well as communicates clearly with others whether they’re defending together or attacking down the wing.