Czech football star Milan Baros looking to revive career at Lyon
Speculation about the future of Czech football star Milan Baros ended on Monday, when the 25-year-old striker left England's Aston Villa for France's Olympic Lyon. The transfer brings to an end a period of frustration for the player, who scored just one goal in 17 league games this season for Villa
"Yeah, of course. Every striker wants to score goals...I am the same. I want to be here and be part of a successful team. Of course I would like to score goals, and hopefully I will."
Milan Baros has scored 26 goals in 46 appearances for the Czech national team and was top scorer at Euro 2004. However, since winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, things have not gone well for Baros: he made little contribution to the Czech Republic's efforts at the World Cup due to injury, and never really made an impact in a season and a half at Aston Villa. Has this move to Lyon given him a chance to revive his career?
"Yeah, actually. When I left Liverpool I had a crucial time at Villa. So it's another level for me. To give my career a kick again and to prove that I can be part of a great team and part of a successful team. Yeah, I take it like a big opportunity for me."
Milan Baros actually turned down a chance to move to the French champions in the summer of 2005, that despite the club's dominance of the French league and regular participation in the Champions League.
But now Lyon boss Gerard Houllier, who had previously brought Baros to Liverpool from Banik Ostrava, has been reunited with one of his favourites. Houllier is the only person Baros knows at Lyon, but he says he should settle in soon.
"Actually I've been in the dressing room already and I've met all the players. I knew all of them from TV, I knew the faces, I know the names. I don't know anybody personally but I think it wouldn't be a problem. I've already been playing in teams abroad for five years. This is my sixth season, so it won't be a problem for me."
