Khalis Merah: Lyon's newest academy gem
When a player comes through Lyon's prestigious academy, hopes are always high, and it is no different for Khalis Merah.
Merah: Cherki's Heir?
It was a big blow when Rayan Cherki left formative club OL last season. The France international was coming off the back of his most prolific and consistent season in professional football. It was timely. OL needed to make some big sales in the summer in order to ease their difficult financial situation. Les Gones let go of their star academy product reluctantly. Cherki has since gone on to shine during his debut season at Manchester City.
And back in Lyon, there is a new academy product shining in the first team. The versatile Merah, capable of playing in midfield and across the forward line, came in at the start of the season, making his first start for OL during a slender 1-0 win over Olympique de Marseille at the end of August. Quite the show of faith from Paulo Fonseca.
"He has played quite a lot against the big teams because he has bravery and the ability to ask for the ball to feet," said the Portuguese manager.
🦁 Himbert: 17 years old
🦁 Merah: 18 years old
First goals with OL today. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FjBIU0raCt— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 29, 2026
That would be the first of four consecutive starts in Ligue 1 McDonald's for the France youth international. However, he would then not feature in any of the next five league games. His appearances across the campaign have been more sporadic, but there is a clear difference in OL with and without Merah.
Fonseca's side have won over 77% of matches when Merah has featured, as opposed to just 27% of matches without him. That is despite Merah being just 19 years old and despite his role within the side changing game by game.
Naturally, his footballing IQ is key to playing such a big role in a side that, with two games remaining in Ligue 1 McDonald's, looks on course for a return to the UEFA Champions League for next season.
'Merah will be one of the best players in France' - Fonseca
"It is my first season in professional football, and I have played a lot of minutes. Tactically, [Fonseca] is an expert, and so I accept all of his decisions. I play where he needs me to play, and I have learned to interpret the different roles. Game intelligence is very important, and I have the capacity to quickly understand and apply what is asked of me," says Merah.
Despite being, by his own admission, "not the biggest or the strongest", he has become more adept in duels as the season has progressed, as evidenced by his seven duels won against Auxerre last month; that is key in a league as physical as Ligue 1 McDonald's. "He will be one of the best players in France," says Fonseca.
In the final sprint, which Lyon are currently mastering, Merah, who has started all of the last three in the league, has returned to the fore. He is an important player for the present and also the future.
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