In case you were wondering, Bafétimbi Gomis is enjoying life back in France, currently loaned from Swansea to Marseille for the duration of the season.
Scoring seven goals in his first twelve games, the 31-year-old striker is playing like if he’d never left French football, and is on course to continue his fine record of scoring at least 10 league in every Ligue 1 season he’s played in since 2006-07.
Coming off injured on Sunday with a slight hamstring niggle, the player is a doubt for Friday’s game against Montpellier, but his name being in the headlines has allowed a few people to talk about him to the press.
One of these happened to be Marseille legend Jean-Pierre Papin, who spoke to Le Phocéen in France about the Swansea striker.
He said: “He’s a player who deserves to stay at l’OM. For his ability, of course, but also his attitude. You mustn’t forget he accepted a very complicated challenge. Actually, everywhere he’s player, he’s always respected the shirt he pulled on, and that deserves respect.
“Furthermore, he’s really useful for Marseille, because there aren’t many players like him, and he fits many systems. In modern football, you need different profiles, and his can be very helpful.”
While Gomis may have made a name for himself in France with his consistent form, his time at Swansea over two seasons was far from spectacular.
Seventeen goals in 71 appearances made for his worst goal to game ratio at any club in his career, and we doubt many Swans fan will miss him too much if he were to make the move to Marseille permanent.
Marseille fans, however, would be more than delighted.
