The 21-year-old Nigerian striker, Gift Orban, has encountered a rocky start to his career at Lyon, failing to meet the anticipated positive impact following his transfer from Belgian club KRC Genk for a reported fee of around €13 million.
Initially heralded as the first Nigerian player to join Lyon, Orban was expected to inject dynamism into the team’s attacking lineup, especially given his impressive track record in Belgium, where he scored 20 goals in just six months.
However, reports suggest that Orban’s introduction to Lyon has been marred by unrest, particularly within the dressing room. Sources indicate that his attitude during training has caused dissatisfaction among teammates, with instances of anger management problems, including a notable incident where he was observed shouting at a journalist.
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This behavior has raised concerns, given Lyon’s existing challenges with team confidence, morale, and discipline. There are speculations that Lyon may not have conducted thorough due diligence on Orban’s background before the signing, as his behavioral issues were reportedly known from his time at previous clubs.
Orban’s transition to Lyon is currently at a critical juncture, with his undeniable talent juxtaposed against the need to integrate into the team and adjust his behavior. Lyon, too, faces the challenge of managing the situation to ensure that team dynamics are not adversely affected. The unfolding of this situation will be pivotal for both Orban’s career and Lyon’s season.