Ruben Kluivert’s resurgence poses Lyon selection question in central defence | OneFootball

Ruben Kluivert has used the Africa Cup of Nations window to emerge as a genuine challenger to Lyon’s central-defence hierarchy. According to L'Équipe, the Dutchman has impressed alongside Clinton Mata and is pressing Moussa Niakhaté for a place.

The turning point came on nine November against reigning European champions PSG, a 3-2 defeat. Deployed at right-back behind Ainsley Maitland-Niles, he struggled before markedly improving after the interval, three days after a limp Europa League outing as centre-back in the 2-0 loss at Betis. It was only his fifth Lyon start.

Kluivert’s real audition began on three January at Monaco, a 3-1 win, when he partnered Mata centrally and delivered several key recoveries. A week later at Lille, a 2-1 Coupe de France last 32 tie, he nullified Olivier Giroud. He then backed up that form against Brest, 2-1 on eighteen January, and at Young Boys Bern on Thursday, a 1-0 Europa League win that included a mistake before a VAR-overturned goal on 60 minutes.

When Lyon signed him from Casa Pia in July for four million euros, Paulo Fonseca cited his pace and strength in duels but accepted he needed adaptation after limited action in Portugal, 24 appearances in 2024-25 with 13 starts. The 24-year-old has since shown greater maturity and composure on the ball.

Fonseca says Kluivert has worked on the defensive line, his individual discipline and studying opponents. He considers him able to play on either side of the pairing and at a similar level to his competitors.

With that progress, there is no need to rush Niakhaté’s return after he rejoined training on Friday. Ahead of Metz on Sunday, Abner Vinicius is a doubt with adductors and Nicolas Tagliafico faces around a month out with an ankle problem.

Source: L'Équipe