Every time a budding talent pops onto the world soccer stage, there is a developing buzz about where the player will end up next. That is certainly the case with Tanner Tessmann, a 22-year-old American midfielder, who drastically leaves the sun-kissed canals of Venice in favor of the bright city lights of Lyon, France.
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Tessmann is no mere hot, young player. He is the new face of the American dream-the soccer version, played out not in Luton but in Lyon. Now however, with one year left on his contract at Venezia, he's already agreed to personal terms for a five-year deal with Lyon, ESPN reports. The French club is owned by American billionaire John Textor.
For Textor, Tessmann will be the lynchpin of his grand vision. The American teenager embodies all that the Lyonnais fervently desires: youth, physical prowess, skill with the ball, and, above all things, the will to win.
Lyon: A Club in Metamorphosis
That Lyon is one of the most storied clubs in France with ups and downs of recent years does not come as news. Finishing sixth last season in Ligue 1, and also their place in the Europa League, reflects a team fighting to remain part of the elite level in European soccer. Yet, what is more eyecatching is the club's pledge to reach as high as €100 million in sales to avoid any further constraints laid on them by the league over their finances.
It is this high-pressure, high-expectation environment that Tessmann is being thrown into. At a cost of around €5 million, he's a midfielder reinforcement but also a symbol of the new era for Lyon under Textor's guidance. But in real terms, what does his signing mean? Is it a brilliant stroke of strategy or an unwarranted gamble?
What Can Tanner Tessmann Bring to Lyon?
Think of a modern midfielder, and physicality, passing capability, and vision are words that immediately come into your mind. Tessmann, through hard work at Venezia, has shown the possession of those attributes. More than that, he's proven to be a versatile player, capable of contributing offensively with goals and assists, which, of course, is a taunting bonus for any team.
He is just 22 years old, with much growth ahead of him. And club Lyon, definitely a team-focused player, should provide the appropriate level of competition for Tessmann to mature properly and establish himself as one of the top midfielders in Ligue 1. More important is the fact that the player's profile has been confirmed by no other than coach Pierre Sage, which means that he's not going to be just another marketing move on behalf of Textor but a real tactic addition to the squad.
The Fight for Recognition
Though that may be a pretty-looking trajectory, there is also an awful amount of pressure imbued with it. Being an American player in Europe-let alone in a league like Ligue 1-means so much more than just talent; it means one needs to persevere through rough times and have strong resilience. Tessmann won't be just a Lyon player; he will be an ambassador for American soccer in a land where the sport is nearly a religion.
And that brings us to the bigger reflection: What would success from Tessmann mean for the next generation of American players? With the increased interest in soccer in the United States and the growth of MLS, many more young players are indeed flying over to try their luck in Europe. Success for Tessmann at Lyon could open the door for many other talents, building a strong U.S. presence in world football.
Staking His Place
The road ahead for Tessmann will not be easy, though. He faces an uphill task in getting accustomed to the pace of French soccer in quick time. He would also be under added pressure to justify Lyon's investment at a time when the club is under the financial scanner.
This is, however, the opportunity Tessmann has been biding his time for. Not only the chances of establishing himself as one of Lyon's key players but also of leaving his mark on European soccer are open to him. If he can meet expectations and prove his worth, the sky is the limit for this young talent.