4 French clubs in the Champions League??? [Archive]

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Allez Lyonnais

16 Jul 2006, 07:20 AM

Gervais Martel is trying to qualify his club for the upcoming Champions League. He's pursuing one of the three berths that were deprived of Juve, Milan and Fiorentina and also trying to get Lille directly into the group stage without them having to qualify.

Boy, this man is truly ambitious. If there's any club that has the means to catch up with Lyon in the future, it's gotta be his. ;)

SportBoy333

17 Jul 2006, 04:14 PM

Allez Lyonnais

17 Jul 2006, 09:00 PM

Instead of Juve, Milan and Fiorentina they just took Italian clubs instead that finished below those teams in last years standings. No Lens. I dont think Lens deserve a spot anyway as they are not a Champions League quality team as of now. Lens is not the club that has the means to catch up with Lyon, trust me. They will never spend the big dollars to catch up to Lyon. Teams like Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes and St. Eteinne have a much better chance.

Am I the only one who actually thinks that Lens deserve their place in CL? Teams that finished 7th and 8th in Italy are going to participate in the most prestigious Champions' League and that is just a bullcrap. Martel is doing the right thing by defending the French interest which is all so logical.

Nanbawan

17 Jul 2006, 09:04 PM

There's nothing that wrong in trying to do it.

SportBoy333

17 Jul 2006, 09:42 PM

Well I do think that Lens are better than those 7th and 8th place Italian teams and would probably beat them if they played.

Lensois

17 Jul 2006, 11:50 PM

Instead of Juve, Milan and Fiorentina they just took Italian clubs instead that finished below those teams in last years standings. No Lens. I dont think Lens deserve a spot anyway as they are not a Champions League quality team as of now. Lens is not the club that has the means to catch up with Lyon, trust me. They will never spend the big dollars to catch up to Lyon. Teams like Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes and St. Eteinne have a much better chance.

While I agree I wonder what Gervais is playing at by trying to get us into the CL with the team as its currently constructed, I have to disagree about Lens not having the means to catch up to Lyon. This year you will see a lot of young players who have come through the acadamy (finally!) and financially the club has several things in the works that will boost revenue. To mention us in the same breath as Toulouse is quite insulting. Doubt if you will, though I'd still contend the basis of that feeling is off the mark.

SportBoy333

18 Jul 2006, 02:23 PM

and financially the club has several things in the works that will boost revenue.

What things are you talking about exactly ?

To mention us in the same breath as Toulouse is quite insulting. Doubt if you will, though I'd still contend the basis of that feeling is off the mark.

I dont think its insulting. Toulouse is the 4th largest French city and the owner there seems to want to put a really good team out there. Being a large city means theres always potential for great things for a club there.

Lensois

19 Jul 2006, 12:05 AM

What things are you talking about exactly ?

Development at the Bollaert is the biggest which increased capacity for outside events to boost revenue as well as a casino in the works. If they desire (and Gervais is in a position where he can allow this to happen to an extent) they can float some stock to increase revenue. And as I mentioned La Gaillette training academy which seems to be developing players now so the need to buy hopefully will be diminished and the possibility of big signing going out may be in the future.

I dont think its insulting. Toulouse is the 4th largest French city and the owner there seems to want to put a really good team out there. Being a large city means theres always potential for great things for a club there.

Than clearly you don't understand Les Ch'ti.

I'm debating as to whether the direction Lens is taking this year is the proper one but to say we do not have the capacity to rise to OL's level is mistaken.

SportBoy333

19 Jul 2006, 12:16 AM

Your best player, Alou Diarra, wants to leave the club. I still think Toulouse has greater potential than Lens. I know Lens is a great club with fantastic support but I dont think their ceiling is that high. If Lille ever gets their 50,000 seat stadium built they could blow right past you.

Lensois

19 Jul 2006, 07:34 AM

Your best player, Alou Diarra, wants to leave the club.

Sorry, he's not our best player. Best potential perhaps, but not our best player. I was far more relieved to see Seydou Kieta sign an extension.

Besides that, he's never said he wants to leave the club whatsoever, you're exaggerating a bit. He has said a move to certain clubs--Real Madrid being one--would be tempting, but he's never said he's actively seeking a transfer. His agent might be saying something else but we all know how that works. If he did have a chance to go to a club like Real I don't think anyone would begrudge him.

I still think Toulouse has greater potential than Lens. I know Lens is a great club with fantastic support but I dont think their ceiling is that high. If Lille ever gets their 50,000 seat stadium built they could blow right past you.

We'll have to agree to disagree. Toulouse is a big city but that doesn't mean much if it's not exploited and they can't put a top 5 team on the field. As for Lille, I'm not sure you really understand the Nord-Pad de Calais region. Lens well outstrips Lille for support in the region. Lille has had recent success for sure but they're stadium is a long way off and again just because you build a 50,000 seat stadium doesn't mean it will get filled week in and week out.

The next five years will be pretty interesting. Gervais has a plan and we'll see if it comes to fruition. Maybe we'll be the Corsican's of the North by then, but I won't hold my breath.