Loading ...Jul 17 2008
Sevilla Sign Squillaci from Lyon
French center back Sebastien Squillaci, who played the last two seasons for Ligue 1 champions Lyon, has moved to Sevilla and La Liga. The fee is thought to be around £5 million.
In moving from Lyon, Squillaci is forsaking Champions League football, at least for this season. Given the current balance of power in the Spanish League, it is unclear whether and when Sevilla is going to be able to break into that top four. The finish tied for fourth last season with Atletico Madrid but lost out on the league’s last Champions League spot based on head-to-head performance against Atletico. This summer, Atletico has made numerous additions and look more likely to continue ascending the table than fall. All of Barcelona, Villareal, and Real Madrid appear further out of reach than Atletico. With Lyon a perpetual qualifier for the Champions League group stage, this might be a permanent move away from Champions League football for Squillaci.
At this point in his career, Squillaci may have thought it his best chance to take on a new challenge. Lyon has won Le Championnat seven seasons in a row, and while being there always ensures playing with a good club, the challenges may seem less exciting, even for somebody who has been there for only two seasons. Squillaci has also never played outside France, and the longer he waited at this point in his career, the less likely it would be that a club with a name like Sevilla’s would want him. While they aren’t in the Champions League this season, they are UEFA Cup qualified in addition to playing in a storied league like La Liga.
My main interest in this story is how this move will affect Squillaci’s standing within the French men’s national team, if it affects it at all. Squillaci is one of the players that had been hurt by Raymond Domenech’s curious lineup decisions. In my opinion, he is a better option within central defence than either Lilian Thuram or William Gallas were. While I am a little curious to see how he adjusts to La Liga (my gut chirps slightly that this move could fail, but I’m not betting on it), if he succeed with Sevilla it could raise his profile to the point were inclusion within Domenech’s starting XI could be a given.
Even though he has been a key contributor to Champions League teams going back to his time with AS Monaco in 2002, Squillaci has only received thirteen caps for France. His ability might not be an issue. He may have no role in the French national team, regardless of performance. Such is life with Les Blues. Moving to Sevilla might be the most reasonable means he has of raising the level of play around him.
Quotes
“This is a new adventure and I have chosen to join a great European club. I came here because they have good players and I want to play in the Champions League and think I can with Sevilla.” - Squillaci
Links
Sevilla seal Squillaci move
Squillaci completes Sevilla switch
Squillaci joins Sevilla
Squillaci: Joining Sevilla Is A Progression
Sevilla signs France defender Squillaci from Lyon
Sevilla sign Lyon’s Squillaci
Squillaci completes Sevilla switch
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