Mercato OL: Tino Kadewere to the crossroads
After a first year more than correct, Tino Kadewere lives more delicate moments at OL. The striker still hopes to have a role to play at Les Gones, where his future will again be at the heart of the debate.
Fifteen. Olympique Lyonnais has scored fifteen goals in its last four matches. The residents of the Groupama Stadium put six in Bordeaux, one in Brest, five in Montpellier and finally three in OM last Sunday. This allowed the Rhone Valley team to win three times and lose only once (against Brest). An offensive festival in which Tino Kadewere unfortunately did not participate because he was only present on the field against SB29 (8 minutes). Ill for the reception of Girondins, he was on the bench against MHSC and Marseille.
Two games during which Peter Bosz did not see fit to use him. A new disappointment for the Zimbabwean who is going through difficult times this season after a first year that was nevertheless correct. Indeed, the striker, bought 15 million euros from HAC in the winter of 2020, ended the 2020-21 season with a record of 10 goals and 3 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions (24 starts). Lined up mainly on the right wing, his trio with Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi had worked rather well under Rudi Garcia.
A more difficult second season
But with Peter Bosz, the 26-year-old player had less opportunity to express himself. Appeared 20 times, he was only 5 times titular by the Dutch coach. A coach who prefers to rely on other elements to accompany the incumbents Moussa Dembélé and Karl Toko Ekambi. Romain Faivre, Tetê and the young Bradley Barcola, who is a starter in Marseille, are in competition with him. All this, without counting Rayan Cherki, injured. Result: Tino Kadewere plays very little (704 minutes). Since his return from the CAN, he has been a starter only twice in the year 2022. Against Lens (February 19) and Reims (March 20).
Moreover, it is during his tenure against the Nordists that he scored his one and only goal of the season (1-1). A goal that was worth a lot for the OL but also for him. “It makes me feel good and it gives me confidence. It is especially a very good ball from Karl. I was not surprised to receive it, because I had seen that he had seen me. It had been a long time since I had scored…”. Eleven months to be precise since his last achievement in the Lyon shirt dated from March 12, 2021 during a draw against Reims (1-1).
A future elsewhere than Lyon?
In the meantime, the situation of Tino Kadewere has evolved since the player had to face several problems, between injuries (surgery in June for his pubalgia, quadriceps problems in September) and his three-match suspension after the red card received against Nice on October 24. Thus, the striker, present at the CAN in January, went from promising recruit to luxury joker in a few months, Peter Bosz favoring other options. The former Le Havre player must be patient and wait for the opportunity to show himself. And no matter the position because as a good professional the player under contract until 2024 is ready to play and help his team.
A team that he could have left last winter. Several L1 teams were interested in recovering him in the form of a loan, namely Reims, Lorient and Troyes. Abroad, other clubs were on the move, including Stuttgart according to our information. But the door had finally remained closed. This summer, it could well be opened, especially since the OL is expecting at least 8 million euros. The player is in favor of a departure in order to find playing time, we were told. There is no doubt that there will be many more suitors for the striker, who has the qualities to give proud service.
