Chimbonda - Come and get me OL

Sunderland defender would love to play for French champions

Last updated: 29th November 2008

Pascal Chimbonda Sunderland

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Sunderland's Pascal Chimbonda admits he would love to play for Lyon, although the French side's manager Claude Puel has denied speculation of a move for the defender.

Puel has admitted he is in the hunt for a replacement as both Lyon's right-backs, Anthony Reveillere and Francois Clerc, are out for some time after sustaining serious knee injuries.

This has led to speculation that the French side could move for Chimbonda, especially as the player has failed to figure in Sunderland's last four games.

The 29-year-old, who signed a three-year deal at Sunderland in July when he joined for an undisclosed fee from Tottenham, admits he would love to play for Lyon.

Chimbonda told Aujourd'hui Sport: "Who would refuse Lyon? Me, I would go there on foot to sign.

Big club

"For the moment, they haven't called me. But I do not hide the fact that I am happy a big club is interested in me.

"With Lyon, you get the Champions League and the Ligue 1 title every year. OL, for a player like me, would be a very good solution."

Roger Boli, Chimbonda's agent, has added fuel to the fire, saying it is 'absolutely possible' he could join the reigning seven-time Ligue 1 champions in the very near future.

Boli told Le Parisien: "We are waiting for the opinion of the coach (Puel), that is all.

"To play in the Champions League, you can't turn that down.

"It is absolutely possible to see him go to Lyon in the days to come."

Puel denial

St Etienne right-back Mouhamadou Dabo is another player to have been linked with Lyon but Puel has denied making a move for either defender.

He told Le 10 Sport: "Considering our injured players, we need a defender. It will all depend on the opportunities.

"Chimbonda or Dabo? I don't know where those rumours came from. We didn't contact them or their clubs."