Tyler Morton: "My passing is my greatest asset"
Hear from Lyon's English midfielder Tyler Morton as Les Gones get their season underway -- despite a frustrating first-leg loss in the Champions League, OL are ready to turn things around. Get the latest from the former Liverpool man in this interview, which appears in complete form in l'Équipe here.
"As you head into your second season at Lyon, how do you rate the first one?"
I’m very satisfied. I love the club, Lyon, the fans, the team I play for, and the staff I work with every day. It’s a really great place to develop and enjoy football. Off the pitch, my family—my partner and I recently welcomed our first child—and I are very happy here. I’ve adapted to life in France and to the league. It was very easy for me right from the start. Playing a lot and playing well gave me a real confidence boost. I think I’ll step up as more of a leader this season.
Was it a big change compared to England?
Yes, of course. It’s very different. It’s sunnier (laughs). It’s been a really enjoyable experience for me. When I’m older, I’ll look back and realize I lived in France with my family. Leaving England wasn’t part of the plan. To be honest, I always wanted to play for Liverpool; that was the plan. But I’d reached a point in my life and career where I needed to play and keep developing. Leaving was the best move. This league (Ligue 1) is a major league where a lot of players grow and develop."
Tyler Morton, what a player 💎🦁 pic.twitter.com/3GIPCydG7j
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 5, 2025
Have you always played as a midfielder?
When I was very young, I played in defense. But I think my qualities on the ball are more useful in midfield. My preferred position is defensive midfielder. You get a lot of touches on the ball, so you can really showcase your abilities. I feel most confident when I have the ball constantly. The position I played last season (as a 'number 6') was the best for me because, when I have the ball often, I can dictate the play. So, nothing beats that for me. I enjoy playing both further forward and deeper, but I prefer playing deeper because my skillset is best suited to that role. In my opinion, my passing is my greatest asset. I find it easier to control the tempo when I play deeper. When you're further forward, it's harder because you don't have much time; you have to be quick and very intelligent. I like both positions because I want to be versatile, but playing deeper suits me best.
Your brain us constantly analyzing what’s happening on the pitch...
Yes, all the time. When you’re out there, you have to be constantly aware of what’s going on around you—where to play the ball, where your teammates are making runs, and when someone is unmarked. You need to know what to do and how to help the team. You have to understand the players you’re playing with: whether they’re fast—meaning you can play into open space—or whether you can play the ball to their feet based on their technical ability. You have to grasp it all.
Tell us about your partnership with Corentin Tolisso...
He’s a brilliant player. When I arrived here, I knew he was incredible, but I didn't realize just how good he was. Now, after playing a full season alongside him, I’ve seen that his mentality is among the best I’ve ever encountered. I can’t thank him enough for how he helps me improve. I love playing with him because he’s reliable. You know he’ll give everything he has on the pitch. In England, you’d say he’s the type of player who would die for Lyon out there.
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