Ernest Nuamah has never quite found his feet at Lyon but still poses an incredible threat to opposition defenders. His transfer on loan from Eagle Football Group sister club RWD Molenbeek was seen as rather controversial after the Belgian club broke their record transfer fee and instantly loaned the Ghanaian attacker to OL, who later signed him on a permanent transfer.
Despite the controversy of his move to Les Gones, the signing of the attacker was a shining light for Lyon when they were in a difficult financial position. His initial promise has struggled to materialise in his 18 months at the club but the attacker hasn’t been without his moments at the Rhône club.
The 21-year-old possesses great pace and guile. These qualities have made him an ideal option for Pierre Sage from the bench and against teams who are prepared to play in a more expressive manner. Like all OL players, Nuamah had to endure a difficult run at the start of last season which saw the side battling against relegation, but on the flip side, he also played his part in their remarkable comeback during the second part of the season.
Nuamah has shown his ability to influence a match. He was responsible for rescuing a point against Reims in the second half of last season and showed what he is truly capable of against Paris Saint-Germain. Although they lost the match 4-1, the former Nordsjælland attacker scored the pick of the goals with a curling left-footed strike into the top corner.
Everton and Fulham retain summer interest
As much as both these goals were impressive, they are perhaps the only notable moments for the winger in a Lyon shirt. Pierre Sage has criticised the forward for being individualistic, “I expected a little more from Nuamah because I think there was a difference between his game and his teammates. He went looking for things a little more himself than for the team.”
Although he’s struggled for consistency, this has not warded off the interest from other clubs. With Les Gones needing to sell, he almost completed a move to Fulham last summer before a tear-fueled medical saw the move collapse. Nevertheless, OL’s position has not changed, in fact, it has worsened, and with Everton and Crystal Palace rumoured to be interested a move for the attacker cannot be ruled out in 2025.
GFFN | Liam Wraith