New Lyon signing Mathieu Bodmer failed to make his league debut for Lyon on Saturday as coach Alain Perrin kept him benched during his side's 2-0 triumph over Auxerre. Whilst Bodmer accepts competition, he's clearly stated that he will not wait around forever...
Lyon's Mathieu Bodmer watched from the bench as his new club strolled to a convincing 2-0 triumph over Auxerre. Whilst he clearly wished to be on the pitch, he is willing to fight for his place, for now.
The virtual sum total of his competitive experience with Lyon is a 27 minute spell in the French Trophy of Champions against Sochaux, which Les Gones won 2-0.
Facing a lot of competition for a 1st team place, the ex Lille man claimed that he is not stressed and has not asked the manager to know where he stands.
He said, "I have not had a discussion with the coach. I do not really have any questions to ask him about his choices. It all seems very logical and coherent. There are no questions to be posed. I'll do everything I can to help the squad, so he knows I am available."
Whilst he admitted that that he "has not featured too much in the official matches," he regards the situation at Lyon as "healthy competition."
The midfielder, who arrived alongside player signing Kader Keita from Lille in the summer, added, "It is not a problem. The team has only won twice in 2 matches! There is no reason to change a winning team. I knew it was going to be difficult trying to compete with a team full of internationals. However, I will do my utmost to gain a place."
However, the player fired a warning shot across Alain Perrin's bow by saying boldly that he will not wait forever.
He said, "For the moment, it is all fine, it is the starting of the season. However, if you ask me this same question in 3 or 4 months, and I have not played much, then it will not be the same answer."
In an attempt to talk himself further into the manager's plans, the player accentuated his versatility, "I can play everywhere; no system upsets me", however preserved that his best position was attacking midfield.
Bodmer, 24, had previously served Evreux and Caen before arriving at LOSC in 2002. He played 135 league games for the Lille side before joining Lyon in the summer.
