Sidney Govou

Football player infobox
playername = Sidney Govou


fullname = Sidney Govou
height = height|meters=1.75
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|7|27
cityofbirth = Le Puy-en-Velay
countryofbirth = France
currentclub = Lyon
clubnumber = 14
position = Attacking midfielder, Winger, Forward
youthyears = 1996–1999
youthclubs = Lyon
years = 1999–
clubs = Lyon
caps(goals) = 250 (46)
nationalyears = 2002–
nationalteam = France
nationalcaps(goals) = 037 0(10)
pcupdate = 20:51, 10 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 12:00, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Sidney Govou (born July 27, 1979 in Le Puy-en-Velay) is a football player from France of Beninese descent. He plays for Lyon and France. Govou is a naturally attacking player but rarely plays as a striker; he is more commonly deployed as an winger or sometimes an attacking midfielder, or in the 'second striker' role. His main attributes are his pace and technique.

Club career

Staying at school to complete his studies to a comparatively late age for a footballer, Govou was a late-comer to the sporting world, joining Olympique Lyon's youth academy at the age of 17 in 1996. Loyal to his first and only club Govou has, up until this point, played at the Stade Gerland for his entire professional career.

Govou made his debut for Lyon in French Ligue 1 championship on January 15 2000. He first became a household name during the 2000&ndash01 season, largely thanks to his performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League when he scored twice.

Govou has often been criticised for his lack of composure in front of goal, especially in high-pressure situations, which partly explains why he now occupies a deeper role, often in wide positions, rather than playing as the focal point of the team's attack. His offensive role, however, does not prevent him from often playing an important role in recovering possession for his team, due largely to his great athletic capabilities and high levels of fitness. These attributes help mask deficiencies such as his heading ability.

During the 2004–05 season, Paul Le Guen handed Govou the captain's armband during the long absence of club captain Claudio Caçapa due to injury. Le Guen's decision was largely motivated by the loyalty displayed towards the club by Govou, in face of much speculation linking him with moves away from the club.Fact|date=October 2007 Indeed, for the last three seasons Govou has been regularly linked to possible transfers away from Lyon, much helped by Govou's admittance to finding the possibility of playing abroad an attractive one. However, Govou has continued to prolong his career in Lyon and extended his contract with Lyon until 2010.Fact|date=August 2008

Govou has recently expressed interest in leaving Lyon, inviting newly-crowned FA Cup winners Portsmouth FC and Fulham FC to bid for the French international. [cite news |title=Govou issues Pompey plea |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11674_3618127,00.html]

International career

Govou has 35 caps with the France national team with nine goals.

He was not selected initially for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he joined the French team to replace Djibril Cissé, injured a few days before the start of the competition.

Govou scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over world champions Italy in a Euro 2008 qualifier. The game was the first meeting between the two teams since Italy beat France in the 2006 World Cup final. Govou scored his first goal by heading, just 67 seconds into the game. His second came in the 55th minute.

Honours

*French Ligue 1 championship in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 with Olympique Lyonnais.
*Trophée Des Champions in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007 with Olympique Lyonnais.
*Coupe de France in 2008 with Olympique Lyonnais.
*Coupe de la Ligue (French League Cup) in 2001 with Olympique Lyonnais
*Confederation Cup in 2003 with France national team
*FIFA World Cup finalist in 2006 with France

Personal

He and his wife Pascale have a daughter named Naomy (born February 11, 2005).

References

External links

* [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11674_3618127,00.html]