LYON star Houssem Aouar ‘lacks motivation’ for ‘smaller matches’, according to the club’s former boss Alain Perrin.
Aouar, who has been linked with Arsenal, was hooked at half-time of Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Reims.
Houssem Aouar has had his ‘motivation’ questionedCredit: AFP or licensors
Alain Perrin ripped into AouarCredit: Reuters
With Lyon in their first title race in years, manager Rudi Garcia was ruthless with his talented midfielder.
And Perrin, 64, believes that Aouar can struggle to get up for certain games.
He told L’Equipe: “Aouar, I do not say that he chooses his matches because it is not that, but it may be hard for him to get motivated for smaller matches.”
The 22-year-old’s performances remind Perrin of mercurial talents Dmitri Payet and Hatem Ben Arfa.
He continued: “He has talent, it is not a question of abilities but rather of state of mind.
“It is not easy, I experienced that with Dimitri at St-Etienne and Hatem at Lyon. They are often there in the big games.”
Perrin also lamented his old team’s lack of consistency in general, adding: “The problem for Lyon with its young players is that they have been in the training of the club, they are gifted but they still have difficulty in having regularity in their performances, in repeating their efforts.
“They are therefore less at it in some matches. The good pro must be able to be even if he does not splash his talent at every meeting.”
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Dmitri Payet’s consistency has been questionedCredit: AP:Associated Press
Hatem Ben Arfa turns out for BordeauxCredit: AFP or licensors
Remarkably, all three title challengers in Ligue 1 dropped points over the weekend.
Leaders Lille OSC were held to a 0-0 draw by AS Monaco, while Paris Saint-Germain fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Nantes at Parc des Princes.
The weekend’s results see Lyon stay third on 60 points, behind PSG on goal difference and trailing Christophe Galtier’s league leaders by three.
As for Aouar, he has managed six goals and four assists in 26 outings this term.
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Houssem Aouar shows off his ball control in Lyon football training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
