Despite the loss of important first team players and a summer of penny pinching, Olympique Lyonnais have continued their tradition of developing talent from their own ranks.

Having lost Anthony Reveillere, Lisandro Lopez and Dejan Lovren, l’OL have integrated several younger players into their team including names such as Farès Bahlouli, Yassine Benzia, Jordan Ferri and Rachid Ghezzal.

Lyon also had the unenviable task of holding onto those that had already established themselves as important players. Midfielders Maxime Gonalons and Clément Grenier were both linked with moves away from Le Stade Gerland, but both have committed their futures to the club for at least one more season.

However, it is the latter of the Lyonnais duo that will prove to be the key man in a difficult season for the Rhône club and this article will take a closer look at the Frenchman who is held in high regard by both the club and it’s fans.

Clément Grenier, born 7th January 1991, started playing football at a very young age. His career began at his hometown club FC Annonay, joining their under-9s team. With many professional clubs looking for new talent on their own doorstep, Olympique Lyonnais officials were impressed by Grenier and the club decided to make a move for the youngster in 2002.

At the age of just 11, Grenier was integrated into the club’s youth academy where he continued to work hard and develop as a player. Clubs such as Arsenal, Real Madrid and Internazionale were all accredited with an interest in the youngster but instead, Grenier chose to sign his first professional deal with l’OL on 15 May 2008.

Despite being named in the senior squad for the 2008-09 season, Grenier spent most of his time in the OL reserves, playing in the fourth tier of French football. In the 2009-10 season, he also began the season in the reserves. However, on 24 September 2009, Grenier was named in the senior squad to take on Toulouse.

Replacing Bafétimbi Gomis as a substitute, the youngster made his debut for the club and Lyon went on to win the match 2-1. After his debut, Grenier was to return to the reserve squad and go seven months without a senior appearance until 17 April 2010 when he made a substitute appearance against Boardeaux and once again two weeks later in a 1-0 win over Montpellier.

Having made a successful breakthrough at club level, Grenier was playing on the international stage for every age group of the French national team. In May 2013, he finally broke into the full national squad, being handed his first cap playing against Uruguay during France’s tour of South America. He made his second appearance for France days later against Brazil.

Playing as a centre midfielder for the majority of his career, Grenier’s playing style has been likened to that of Brazilian icon Kaka. His agility and ball control allows for him to hold on the ball as well as take players on. His vision also allows for him to pick out passes that could potentially lead to an effort on goal.

Grenier provided 7 goals and 8 assists in the 2012-13 campaign including two world-class free kicks against OGC Nice and Stade Rennes as well as a sublime half volley against former Ligue 1 Champions, Montpellier. Set pieces are also part of Grenier’s game, delivering free kicks and corners into dangerous areas.

His impressive free kicks have erred praise from Lyon legend Juninho Pernambucano. Grenier has started the 2013-14 seasons with 2 goals and 2 assists, proving just how important he is to the Lyon squad. He also scored a great goal against Real Madrid, converting an Alexandre Lacazette cross into the far corner with a volley from 15 yards out.

With an inherent sense of balance and the ability to strike a ball, there was little that Grenier had to add to his game in order to become a potentially world class player. However, it is clear from a number of games this season that he has been trying to close the opposition down and is attempting to win the ball back, adding to the sentiment that he is well on his way to being a complete midfielder.

Amid speculation surrounding his future, Grenier penned a new deal that would keep him at the club until June 2015. He was keen to continue developing as a player in France and was also unconvinced by Arsene Wenger to join Arsenal as an initial bid of €7 million was rejected.

The fact that Grenier is now tied to a new deal will give Lyon the ability to ask for a much more substantial sum, should any club be interested in acquiring his services.

Whether or not Grenier is a Lyon player beyond the end of the 2013-14 campaign, he is undoubtedly one of the most talented players to come out of France in recent years and would be comfortable plying his trade in the Premier League, should that become a possibility.

Grenier will be one of the stand out players of the current Ligue 1 season and it is inevitable that he will continue to impress as he helps Olympique Lyonnais try to compete at the top of the table.