Who is Nabil Fekir? Lyon player who be Philippe Coutinho’s replacement at Liverpool

Categories: Football | Published by: AC

11/05/2018

Updated: 28/06/2022

He may not have built his full French international debut yet- but there is plenty of buzz around Nabil Fekir .

Liverpool have been linked with a summertime move for the PS60million rated Lyon attacking midfielder- who has already netted 22 times his season .

He's also get seven assists and would be a top class addition to Liverpool's attacking armoury .

The player himself is tight-lipped:” There is nothing new for now ,” he told Top Mercato .

” I'm still at Lyon and there are two games left. At the end of the season we'll consider .”

And respected French journalist Jacques Santucci, who works for broadcaster SFR Sport, devoted the lowdown to the Liverpool Echo on Jurgen Klopp's big summertime target .

How good a player is Nabil Fekir ?

Jacques Santucci( JS ): He is one of the best French players. He has the ability to break down deep defenses like Philippe Coutinho did. He can induce the difference on his own .

That's been a weakness for Liverpool against bus parking squads. He is even more of a dribbler than Coutinho .

What's his career path been like. Wasn't be released by Lyon as a kid?

JS: At 13, Lyon let him go from the academy after deciding he wasn't good enough. He went to a small club called FC Vaulx, but returned two years when Saint-Etienne were also after him .

He did well with the reserve squad and broke through at 19. At 20 he actually became a regular starter. Lyon then played with two strikers in Alexandre Lacazette and him. The 2014/15 season was his best one before the current season, playing as a second striker. He did his ACL the following season but he worked hard to get back. This season he has been brilliant in the No 10 role .

How important is he to Lyon ?

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood( Image: John Powell )

JS: He is the captain. He is the leader on and off the pitch, and he is the starring player. He became even more important this season after Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso left .

What are his main strengths? Any weakness ?

JS: He is very dangerous in the final third, very skilful and he has a very good left foot. He is the second most fouled player in Ligue 1 after Neymar and the fifth best dribbler .

His weakness could be his knee but he hasn't had any problems with that this season, bar a small issue earlier in the campaign but everything is fine now. His intensity levels can sometimes drop off which would be a problem under Klopp

What's his best stance?

JS: As a second striker or a No 10.

Do you think Lyon would be willing to sell him this summer?

JS: Lyon is a selling club but chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is a great businessman. He will sell at a price that he considers right .

Have any other clubs been watching him ?

JS: It is being reported in France that Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested. Barcelona is a club he really likes .

What kind of transfer fee do you think Lyon would demand?

JS: Around 70 million Euros( PS62million ).

Do you think he would be a good fit for a Klopp team?

JS: He wouldn't be a natural fit but Klopp can change that. Fekir has the talent. He can run, pass and score. I'm sure it would work out .

Where would he fit into Klopp's 4-3 -3 system?

JS: That's the most difficult question. We've never seen him in the No 8 role where Coutinho played but I think he could play there. He would be great in the front three but I can't see him taking Salah, Mane or Firmino's place. He would be a great option to have.