France coach pleased Marlet at Fulham
last updated Wednesday 29th August 2001, 9:35 AM
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Steve Marlet
Fulham |
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France coach Roger Lemerre has applauded Steve
Marlet's decision to quit the Championnat for Fulham, believing the move
can only enhance the striker's already blossoming career. "He will
progress at Fulham," Lemerre said.
Critics in France suggested Marlet might be taking a risk leaving Lyon and
swapping Champions' League football and a chance to win the French league
for the hurly-burly of the Premiership.
But Lemerre gave Marlet the thumbs-up from Santiago where Jean Tigana's
latest addition is due to join up with France squad on Wednesday for the
friendly with Chile on Saturday.
"For me it's a plus for Steve, even though he continued his progression
at Lyon," Lemerre said.
"I have been aware of the situation for a while, and I talked to Steve
and to Jean Tigana about it. The move doesn't open the door to the France
team any wider, but it doesn't close it either."
In the past, Lemerre has suggested that players' chances of earning international
recognition would be greatly enhanced if, like Sabri Lamouchi and Claude
Makelele, they decided to play abroad. And former Auxerre striker Marlet
will consider Fulham as the perfect stage from which to add to his five
caps and win a place in the France squad for the World Cup finals next summer.
As coach of Lyon, Tigana had criticised the club for not holding onto its
best players after he left in 1995.
The £11.5 million signing of Marlet, following the earlier recruitment
of Steed Malbranque from the Stade Gerland, showed he hadn't forgotten the
club's weakness.
Lyon general manager Bernard Lacombe, though, said it was not possible to
hold on to Marlet, who had been made an offer that was difficult to refuse.
"You can't keep a player against his will," Lacombe said. "Juventus
let Zidane go."
Marlet, 26, will earn between £40,000 and £50,000 a week tax-free
in London, almost four times his Lyon wages.
"It's a good move for Steve," Lacombe added. "By the time
he is 31 he will be set up for life. It's hard to refuse."
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Source Onefootball
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