World Cup winner Patrick Vieira says Manchester City’s loan of Marcos Lopes to French club Lille – which could bring Champions League exposure – will certainly help the 18-year-old have a brighter future.
The one-year deal for the Portuguese, who made four first team appearances last season, was confirmed on Monday.
Lopes captained Manchester City’s EDS (Elite Development Squad) to the semi-finals of the under-21 Premier League as well as leading the under-19s to the last eight of the inaugural Uefa Youth League, impressing EDS manager Vieira along the way.
“Marcos is joining a league that is very demanding physically, but is very good at developing young players,” the former Arsenal midfielder, who clinched the 1998 World Cup with France, told City’s website.
“I know the manager at Lille, Rene Girard, and he is very detailed in his approach and is keen to give young players a chance.
“He may also have the chance to play in Europe, which would be a fantastic experience for Marcos, and will help him grow up as a player.
“They are a very young group at Lille, so it is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do.”
Lille finished third in Ligue 1 last season and will have a chance to qualify for the lucrative Champions League before the September start.
Meanwhile City qualified outright as Premier League champions and although Lopes will be sad to leave many of the game’s leading lights, he is set for a much bigger role at the French outfit.
“It would be very exciting to be able to play Champions League football. It would be such a good experience for me to play in that competition, a competition which everyone recognises as the best in European football.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
Main image courtesy of sportsvibeTV via YouTube, with thanks.
