Yoann Gourcuff's Dilemma: AC Milan Or Girondins De Bordeaux?

Yoann Gourcuff’s sensational loan spell at Bordeaux this current season has seen the youngster blossom into one of the game’s brightest prospects. The 22-year-old Frenchman has been compared to his legendary countryman Zinedine Zidane on numerous occasions and earned the nickname “Petit Zizou”.

After spending a miserable season in Milan where he was never really given the chance or the confidence by coach Carlo Ancelotti—who even towards the end of last season went on to bad-mouth the youngster in the press—things would soon change for the better.

Girondins de Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc handpicked the attacking midfielder to help the club in their quest to unsettle Olympique Lyonnais after seven years on the French summit. After the switch to the French outfit things have turned rather quickly for the immensely talented player. Bordeaux are currently topping the French league with three points separating them from the chasing pack.

As the season is drawing to a close it is clear to see that Blanc made an excellent choice seeing it since young Frenchman has excelled in the No. 10 role and has been simply outstanding as a freekick taker as well as a goalscorer.

Gourcuff’s development curve has shot skywards and he has been one of the most consistent players not only in Bordeaux, but Ligue 1 as well.

It has been a very exciting year for Gourcuff who last August also made his debut for the national side in a friendly against Sweden. The youngster has grown to be a regular then and as important is his role in Les Bleus that Raymond Domenech has changed the team’s usual 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 in order to best adjust to the player and allow him to do what he does best.

Would Gourcuff have made the same sensation development in Milan? Probably not.

Although it seems highly unwise for Milan to let go of a player of Gourcuff’s caliber one has to question whether or not he really fits in to the Rossoneri’s system.

Towards the end of the season Bordeaux has the option to make Gourcuff’s move permanent. The price tag is reported to be around €15 million and although the club is very interesting in keeping their prized asset it will all depend on what the player himself wants for himself.

If Gourcuff favours a return to the fashion capital he will need to keep some things in mind. The player’s strained relationship to Ancelotti is old news and despite the latter praising his former adept’s development lately there is no telling of another deju vu.

On top of that there’s fierce competition for the central attacking role in Milan as Kaká, Ronaldinho, and Clarence Seedorf are all fighting for the same position.

One thing that speaks for a return for Gourcuff is that Milan are in the progress of rejuvenating the team which could result in both Seedorf and Ronaldinho having to make way for younger and more consistent players.

With Ancelotti at the helm things are very difficult to predict but one thing that is certain is that he can count on a better wage deal with the Milan club—although I doubt that he’s priorities lie in the financial aspect of the game.

Blanc has expressed that the 22-year-old will soon be too big for a club such as Bordeaux and although Gourcuff is undoubtedly meant to play for a bigger side than the Girondins outfit at least he can be sure of one thing—playing time. The Bordeaux tactician has showcased immense confidence in his player and is very likely to continue along the same lines should the midfielder decide to remain.

Since the World Cup in South Africa is edging closer it provides another reason that could speak for Gourcuff remaining in his native country—a reason that could prove to be the deciding factor since he would undoubtedly like to play on the world’s biggest stage come next summer.

A deadline for the deal—that could go either way—is reported to be on May 31st and although there is plenty of pros and cons to each decision it all comes down to what the player wants for himself.