Lyon’s Dejan Lovren: ‘The door is open for players that don’t want to be here.’ | OneFootball

Speaking to the press, Dejan Lovren (34) commented on his club’s situation, highlighting the need to renew the squad: “The door is open for players that don’t want to be here. The door is also open for reinforcements. I hope we will find players who can help the club.”

Last winter, Lovren returned to Lyon as a Champions League and Premier League winner, ten years after having left the club to join Southampton in 2013. At the time, he had brought leadership and defensive solidity to a side that was desperate for a new centre-back. However, several injuries and a general decrease in performance have meant that the Croatian has lost his guaranteed spot in the starting 11.

Lovren, a leader on and off the pitch

Nonetheless, the 34-year-old remains an essential element of his team’s dressing room, serving as a vocal leader and motivator for a distraught squad: “I have a lot of messages, but it is tough to say one and that things will change. The first message is that we need to believe until the end. We cannot give up.“

OL will be looking to return to winning ways next Sunday, at home to Toulouse, and will count on Lovren to bring his experience and guidance to the side, be it on or off the pitch.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande