French winger Florian Thauvin first set foot on a football pitch as a professional back in 2011.
A fledgling Grenoble starlet with loads of talent, Thauvin was quickly snapped up by Bastia who benefitted immensely from Grenoble suffering liquidation and relegation to CFA 2, to land themselves a boy that would go on to cover quite a distance – literally and metaphorically – to football prominence he is currently enjoying his second spell with Marseille less than eight years into his professional career.
Spoilt Brat
It takes a special kind of character – and professional guidance and counselling – for a young football star to be able to endure the heat of the moment and to remain level-headed amidst the sudden popularity often achieved overnight in modern-day football.
Florian Thauvin had none of these and ended up being labelled as an arrogant brat who forced a move to Marseille despite never kicking a single ball for Lille, who acquired his services after a successful two-year stint with Bastia back in 2013.
Having forked out €3.5 million for Thauvin who agreed on a four-and-a-half-year deal, Lille sent the talented Frenchman back to Bastia on a six-month loan during which time Thauvin put in a number of impressive displays to get himself named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
Lille fans never got a chance to see one of the most exciting young French players in action, however, thanks to Thauvin’s refusal to move to Stade Pierre-Mauroy and ended up losing him to Olympique de Marseille after weeks of dragging negotiations in September 2013.
It would not be the last time Thauvin will get labels stuck on his back, though.
Newcastle Flop
Following 69 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille and 17 league goals, Florian Thauvin decided it was the right time to leave his club and move to pastures greener – to England in 2015.
Excited about the prospect of playing in the Premier League, the French winger joined Newcastle United in a £15 million deal. From the first moment he headed out of the private jet dressed like a pop star – in a leather jacket and tight black jeans – Florian Thauvin kept on causing a stir in England.
From jagged jeans to a tuxedo he decided to wear to home matches much to the public bewilderment, Florian Thauvin’s choices had been criticized – even by club legend Alan Shearer – and the young boy from France was given a run for his money straight from the off.
Thauvin later confessed it was all the criticism he faced in England that his performances for Newcastle United suffered because, in the end forcing the winger to move back to Marseille on loan after a single season in England.
Rise Back to Prominence
The beauty of football lies in the fact that everything is possible if you believe firmly enough. Florian Thauvin learnt from his experience, learnt from his mistakes and poor attitude, and refused to go down without a fight.
Determined to prove all of his doubters wrong and to prove that he still is a player who deservedly won the Young Player of the Year award not too long ago, Thauvin stepped up the plate this season to make his presence known across the European continent and not in France alone.
A shaky start following the return to France was followed by an ‘explosion’ of flair, talent and creativity which made Thauvin a leader of new Marseille, a player whose freedom in play is enchanting.
With his performances, Florian Thauvin is sending a ubiquitous message to the world.
Sitting firmly behind the driving wheel at Marseille, the 25-year-old is the one who makes all the difference this season – whether it’s with his goalscoring exploits or assists record which stands equally impressive.
With 25 matches behind him this season, Thauvin has grabbed 10 assists and notched up 14 goals – while also scooping two Player of the Month awards in November and January. The number of assists puts him neck and neck with the likes of Philipp Max, Leroy Sane and Leo Messi, with only Neymar (11) and Kevin De Bruyne (14) leading the line with more assists thus far in the season.
Bright Future Ahead of Him
Having proven his worth all over again, Florian Thauvin is now wiser and smarter.
The Frenchman will not rush into decisions although he is thinking about his future with some of Europe’s biggest clubs hot on his trail. Thauvin is said to have attracted plenty of interest abroad with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid believed to be following him closely.
This time around, the Frenchman will take it slow. And smart.
“I’ve had hard time getting back to the club and I feel good. The important thing is to play and have fun. I am doing that.”, he said.
Marseille sit in third place in Ligue 1 standings, one point behind second-placed AS Monaco. Before they return to domestic exploits next weekend, Marseille are scheduled to host Braga in the first leg of Europa League Round of 32 tie against Braga.
Thauvin is expected to lead the line for the hosts and is given 17/11 betting odds to score anytime on Thursday.
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