Lyon’s Pierre Sage: ‘He needs to understand that we recruited Wilfried Zaha, so we would like to have Wilfried Zaha.’ | OneFootball

Olympique Lyonnais manager Pierre Sage has been forthright in publically asking more from summer recruit Wilfried Zaha (31) in an interview on RMC Sport.

Zaha joined Lyon on loan from Galatasaray in the summer, however, he has thus far struggled to settle. He has made just two appearances for the club, including one start in Ligue 1, and he is far from convincing his manager Sage, who has plenty of options at his disposal.

Sage, who signed a permanent deal with OL after working miracles at the club last season, has an attacking arsenal, consisting of Alexandre Lacazette, Georges Mikautadze, Gift Orban, Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, Rayan Cherki, Said Benrahma, and of course Zaha.

It is therefore not easy for Zaha to establish himself, but Sage has asked for more from the former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger. “I had a good discussion with him last week regarding the problems that we have encountered,” began the OL manager, speaking on After Foot.

He added, “The idea isn’t to fine him for the sake of fining him. The idea is simply for him to be aware of what we expect from him at our club and I said he needs to understand that we recruited Wilfried Zaha, so we would like to have Wilfried Zaha.”

Sage did nonetheless highlight that Zaha arrived without match fitness, following his late move from Galatasaray. “It has nothing to do with his abilities as a player but his capacity to live with this team,” concluded Sage.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle