In a five part series, GFFN Chief Features Writer Eric Devin names his top five flops of the Ligue 1 2015/16 season. First up, is Claudio Beauvue.
Claudio Beauvue
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
From: EA Guingamp
Fee: €4M
Games: 19
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Goals: 5
Assists: 2
Coming on as a second-half substitute for Alexandre Lacazette to net the match’s solitary goal in an early-season encounter with his former club, Claudio Beauvue looked ready to win the hearts of Lyon’s fans.
However, by the time he netted the final goal of his brief spell at the club against Troyes in Week 20, thing had changed radically. Capable enough on the pitch, even if not at the standard Lyon required in the Champions’ League, Beauvue instead did his best to alienate the club’s fans, management and even his teammates.
From failing to shake Hubert Fournier’s hand after being substituted against Nantes to his audacious, self-aggrandizing celebration against Troyes, Beauvue had become the epitome of the “toxic” player in his time at the Stade Gerland.
Lyon did admittedly do well to turn a profit on the player in his sale to Celta Vigo, but a much more positive season could have been in the offing had he never arrived.