UEFA.com's weekly wonderkid: Lucas Tousart
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Article summary
Captain of the France side that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in July, Lyon midfielder Lucas Tousart has become part of coach Bruno Genesio's plans this season.
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A member of Lyon's UEFA Youth League squad last season, Lucas Tousart has stepped up to the first team this term and on matchday one made his UEFA Champions League debut against Dinamo Zagreb.
Name: Lucas Tousart
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Debut: 24 January 2015 for Valenciennes v Tours
Position: midfield
Nationality: French
Born: 29 April 1997
Preferred foot: right
Height: 185cm
They say ...
"He is a modest, hard-working young man who knows what he wants. His profile matches the modern holding midfielder: skilful and physically strong. He is a great team player who embodies the values we want to pass on at this club, namely humility and enthusiasm."
Joël Fréchet, Lyon Under-19 coach
Background ...
Born in the Aveyron region of France, Tousart made his league bow for Valenciennes in Ligue 2 in January 2015. He impressed over the next four months, prompting a move to Lyon that August. Tousart featured only once for OL last season, against Angers in December, but ended the 2015/16 campaign as a UEFA European U19 Championship winner. He skippered France to victory in Germany in July, scoring in the 4-0 final defeat of Italy.
Playing style ...
A defensive midfielder with a good range of passing, Tousart is excellent at tackling and recovering possession.
Shades of ...
His style of play is similar to that of Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons. Hence Tousart was the obvious choice to deputise for the 27-year-old when he was suspended for last month's Ligue 1 trip to Marseille.
Eureka moment ...
His display and aforementioned goal, a deflected right-foot shot, against Italy in the U19 EURO final in Sinsheim.
Best-case scenario ...
Tousart was linked with Palermo after his summer exploits. However, he stayed at Lyon and should establish himself as a key player over the coming years.
He says ...
"I'm thrilled, totally happy. This was a big performance from every single one of us, the whole team. Every player and every member of staff has contributed to this tonight."
Tousart speaking after France's triumph over Italy in the U19 EURO final
