Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian winger who joined Olympique Lyonnais (OL) this summer, has come under fire despite not having played a single minute for the French club. The 31-year-old, currently on loan from Galatasaray, is reportedly facing challenges both on and off the pitch, leading to growing concerns about his involvement and future at Lyon.
Zaha, who made a high-profile move to Lyon on a €3 million loan in the final hours of the transfer window, had hoped to reignite his career in Ligue 1 following stints in England and Turkey.
While his performances for Galatasaray last season in the Turkish Super Lig were notable, the former Crystal Palace star has yet to make an appearance for Lyon, a situation that has drawn significant attention, especially after Lyon’s 3-2 home defeat to Olympique de Marseille last Sunday.
Fans and analysts alike have been left questioning why Zaha was left on the bench for the entire match, particularly given Lyon’s struggles this season.
Some have speculated that the decision was a tactical one by Lyon’s coach, Pierre Sage, while others have pointed to the winger’s apparent lack of involvement during training sessions.
French sports daily *L’Équipe* added fuel to the fire with a recent report revealing that Zaha’s commitment at Lyon is being questioned internally.
According to *L’Équipe*, Zaha has not been fully engaged during training, an attitude that has frustrated the coaching staff, particularly Sage.
The report suggests that the Ivorian international, who has not yet been called up by new Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé, does not seem to be giving his best since arriving at the club.
This revelation has only increased concerns over whether Zaha will make a meaningful contribution to Lyon this season.
Further complicating matters, reports from Turkish outlets, including Fotomaç and HT Spor, have indicated that Zaha is struggling to adapt to life in France with his family, and is reportedly regretting his decision to leave Turkey.
These personal difficulties may be affecting his form and focus at Lyon, leaving his future at the club uncertain.
Zaha’s move to Lyon was seen as a fresh start for the talented winger, who had spent most of his career at Crystal Palace before heading to Galatasaray.
However, his lack of game time and the recent revelations about his attitude in training have cast doubt on whether he will be able to turn things around.
With Lyon desperately needing a spark to improve their fortunes in Ligue 1, all eyes will be on Zaha to see if he can overcome these early struggles and make a significant impact in the coming weeks.
As the pressure mounts, the question remains whether Zaha can find his rhythm in France or if his time at Lyon will be short-lived.
For now, the Ivorian star’s situation is a worrying sign for a club already facing difficulties on the pitch.
