Newcastle United yesterday confirmed Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa as their seventh French signing in 18 months, and two more could follow today.
If Bordeaux's Yoan Gouffran is to be believed, he is en route to Newcastle and left-back Massadio Haïdara could be joining him from Nancy.
This is all quite ironic when one recalls Newcastle manager Alan Pardew's quotes from 2006 after Arsène Wenger's French-dominated Arsenal reached the Champions League final.
"I saw a headline saying Arsenal are flying the flag for Britain," he said.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa arrives at a St James's Park
"I kind of wondered where that British involvement actually was when I looked at their team.
"It's important that top clubs don't lose sight of the fact that it's the English Premier League and English players should be involved."
Newcastle's chief scout, Graham Carr (father of Alan) has identified some brilliant bargains, from £5m lynchpin Yohan Cabaye to £5.5m Mathieu Debuchy, perhaps the best right-back at Euro 2012.
Carr was rewarded for his good work with an eight-year contract last year (as was Pardew).
And if more than one of the French faction are injured at the same time, they are hereby dubbed the crocked monsieurs.
Frogs on the Tyne
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Reading - St James' Park(01 of86)
Sylvain Marveaux, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Newcastle United - Emirates Stadium(02 of86)
Newcastle United's Sylvain Marveaux (right) and Arsenal's Jack Wilshere (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Newcastle United v Everton - Premier League(03 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Everton player Leon Osman (r) looks on as Sylvain Marveaux attacks during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on January 2, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League(04 of86)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Sylvain Marveaux of Newcastle United holds off a challenge from Javier Hernandez of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford December 26, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Premier League(05 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Sylvain Marveaux of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on December 15, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group D - Newcastle United v Maritimo - St James' Park(06 of86)
Sylvain Marveaux, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic - St James' Park(07 of86)
Sylvain Marveaux, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic - St James' Park(08 of86)
Sylvain Marveaux, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic - Premier League(09 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Wigan player James McArthur (l) gives chase in vain to Sylvain Marveaux during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic at St James' Park on December 3, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group D - Club Brugge v Newcastle United - Jan Breydel Stadium(10 of86)
Sylvain Marveaux, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
(11 of86)
Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa, right celebrates after scoring a goal against Fulham during their English Premier league soccer match at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium in London, Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:AP)
Fulham v Newcastle United - Premier League(12 of86)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Hatem Ben Arfa of Newcastle United on the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on December 10, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of86)
Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa, left, vies for the ball with Maritimo's Joao Luiz, right, during their Europa League group D soccer match at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (credit:AP)
Newcastle United FC v CS Maritimo - UEFA Europa League(14 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Newcastle player Hatem Ben Arfa (r) challenges CS Maritimo defender Marcio Rosario during the UEFA Europa League Group match between Newcastle United FC and CS Maritimo at St James' Park on November 22, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United FC v CS Maritimo - UEFA Europa League(15 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Newcastle player Hatem Ben Arfa in action during the UEFA Europa League Group match between Newcastle United FC and CS Maritimo at St James' Park on November 22, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Premier League(16 of86)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Hatem Ben Arfa of Newcastle United competes with Joe Allen of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on November 4, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Sports Direct Arena(17 of86)
Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa celebrates scoring his sides second goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at the Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Chelsea v Newcastle United - Stamford Bridge(18 of86)
Hatem Ben Arfa, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Chelsea v Newcastle United - Premier League(19 of86)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Hatem Ben Arfa of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on August 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Sports Direct Arena(20 of86)
Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa celebrates scoring his sides second goal of the game (credit:PA)
FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-READING(21 of86)
Newcastle United's French midfielder Yohan Cabaye (L) celebrates scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Reading at St James' Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northeast England, on January 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GRAHAM STUART - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GRAHAM STUART/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of86)
Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye celebrates after scoring against Liverpool during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Jon Super) (credit:AP)
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League(23 of86)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Newcastle palyer Yohan Cabaye celebrates the first goal during the Barclays Premier league match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on October 21, 2012 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League(24 of86)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Newcastle palyer Yohan Cabaye celebrates the first goal during the Barclays Premier league match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on October 21, 2012 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League(25 of86)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Newcastle palyer Yohan Cabaye celebrates the first goal during the Barclays Premier league match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on October 21, 2012 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League(26 of86)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Newcastle palyer Yohan Cabaye celebrates the first goal during the Barclays Premier league match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on October 21, 2012 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United - Sports Direct Arena(27 of86)
Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United - Sports Direct Arena(28 of86)
Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United - Sports Direct Arena(29 of86)
Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United - Sports Direct Arena(30 of86)
Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group D - Newcastle United v Club Brugge - St James' Park(31 of86)
Newcastle United's Gabriel Obertan celebrates scoring his sides first goal of the game (credit:PA)
Gabriel Obertan(32 of86)
Newcastle United's Gabriel Obertan celebrates after scoring a goal against Blackburn during their English Premier League soccer match at Ewood Park, Blackburn, England, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (credit:AP)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United - Ewood Park(33 of86)
Newcastle United's Gabriel Obertan celebrates scoring their second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Gabriel Obertan(34 of86)
Newcastle United's Gabriel Obertan, center, celebrates after scoring a goal against Blackburn during their English Premier League soccer match at Ewood Park, Blackburn, England, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (credit:AP)
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League(35 of86)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Gabriel Obertan of Newcastle United celebrates the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on August 20, 2011 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United's French midfielder Gab(36 of86)
Newcastle United's French midfielder Gabriel Obertan celebrates scoring his late goal during the English Premier League football match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood Park, Blackburn, north-west England on February 1, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United - Premier League(37 of86)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Gabriel Obertan of Newcastle United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood park on February 1, 2012 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United - Premier League(38 of86)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Gabriel Obertan of Newcastle United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood park on February 1, 2012 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United's French midfielder Gab(39 of86)
Newcastle United's French midfielder Gabriel Obertan celebrates scoring his late goal during the English Premier League football match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood Park, Blackburn, north-west England on February 1, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group D - Newcastle United v Club Brugge - St James' Park(40 of86)
Newcastle United's Gabriel Obertan celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League match at St James' Park, Newcastle. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Reading - St James' Park(41 of86)
Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
(42 of86)
Reading's Garath McCleary, top, vies for the ball with Newcastle United's Mathieu Debuchy, bottom, during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (credit:AP)
Norwich City v Newcastle United - Premier League(43 of86)
NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Mathieu Debuchy of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Newcastle United at Carrow Road on January 12, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Norwich City v Newcastle United - Premier League(44 of86)
NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Mathieu Debuchy of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Newcastle United at Carrow Road on January 12, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Norwich City v Newcastle United - Premier League(45 of86)
NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Mathieu Debuchy of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Newcastle United at Carrow Road on January 12, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Reading - St James' Park(46 of86)
Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Reading - St James' Park(47 of86)
Reading's Garath McCleary and Newcastle United's Mathieu Debuchy (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
(48 of86)
Reading's Garath McCleary, left, vies for the ball with Newcastle United's Mathieu Debuchy, right, during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (credit:AP)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Reading - St James' Park(49 of86)
Reading's Garath McCleary and Newcastle United's Mathieu Debuchy (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-READING(50 of86)
Newcastle United's French defender Mathieu Debuchy (R) vies with Reading's English midfielder Gareth McCleary (L) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Reading at St James' Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northeast England, on January 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GRAHAM STUART - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GRAHAM STUART/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa File Photo(51 of86)
File photo dated 26/08/2012 of Montpellier's Mapou Yanga M'Biwa (left) and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa File Photo(52 of86)
File photo dated 26/08/2012 of Montpellier's Mapou Yanga M'Biwa (left) and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla. (credit:PA)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE-MONTPELLIER(53 of86)
Lille's French midfielder Rio Mavuba (C) vies with Montpellier's French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa during the French L1 football match Lille vs Montpellier on Décember 22, 2012 at the Grand Stade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MARSEILLE-MONTPELLIER(54 of86)
Montpellier's French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (L) vies with Marseille's French midfielder Matthieu Valbuena (R) during the French L1 football match Marseille (OM) vs Montpellier (MHSC) on January 19, 2013 at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France. AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE-MONTPELLIER(55 of86)
Montpellier's French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa controls the ball during the French L1 football match Lille vs Montpellier on December 22, 2012, at the Grand Stade Stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE-MONTPELLIER(56 of86)
Lille's French defender Dijbril Sidibe (L) vies with Montpellier's French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa during the French L1 football match Lille vs Montpellier on Décember 22, 2012 at the Grand Stade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE-MONTPELLIER(57 of86)
Lille's French defender Dijbril Sidibe (L) vies with Montpellier's French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa during the French L1 football match Lille vs Montpellier on Décember 22, 2012 at the Grand Stade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MONTPELLIER-BASTIA(58 of86)
Montpellier's defender Mapou Yangambiwa (R) vies with Bastia's forward Ilan Araujo (L) during the French L1 football match Montpellier vs Bastia on December 15, 2012 at the Mosson stadium in Montpellier, southern France. AFP PHOTO / SYLVAIN THOMAS (Photo credit should read SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Teemu Pukki(59 of86)
Montpellier's defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, left, challenges for the ball with Schalke's Finnish forward Teemu Pukki , during their Champions League Group B soccer match, at La Mosson stadium, in Montpellier, southern France, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:AP)
Montpellier HSC v FC Schalke 04 - UEFA Champions League(60 of86)
MONTPELLIER, FRANCE - DECEMBER 04: Lewis Holtby of Schalke (R) challenge Mapou Yanga-Mblawa of Montpellier (L) during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Montpellier Herault SC and FC Schalke 04 at Stade de la Mosson on December 4, 2012 in Montpellier, France. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group D - Newcastle United v Maritimo - St James' Park(61 of86)
Romain Amalfitano, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Aston Villa - Sports Direct Arena(62 of86)
Romain Amalfitano, Newcastle United (credit:PA)
FBL-EUR-C3-MARITIMO-NEWCASTLE(63 of86)
Newcastle's French midfielder Romain Amalfitano (R) fights for the ball with Maritimo defender Briguel Sousa (L) on September 20, 2012 during a Europa League football match at the Barreiros Stadium in Funchal. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Atromitos Athens - UEFA Europa League Play-off Round(64 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 30: Newcastle player Romain Amalfitano in action during the UEFA Europa League Play-off Round second leg match between Newcastle United and Atromitos Athens at Sports Direct Arena on august 30, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ioannis Skordas Romain Amalfitano(65 of86)
Atromitos' Ioannis Skordas goes for the ball next of Newcastle United's Romain Amalfitano, right, during a Europa League play-off first leg soccer match at Peristeri stadium, in Athens, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
Newcastle United v Atromitos Athens - UEFA Europa League Play-off Round(66 of86)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 30: Newcastle player Romain Amalfitano in action during the UEFA Europa League Play-off Round second leg match between Newcastle United and Atromitos Athens at Sports Direct Arena on august 30, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-RENNES-BORDEAUX(67 of86)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran celebrates scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Rennes and Bordeaux on January 12, 2013, at the Route de Lorient stadium in Rennes, western France. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-RENNES-BORDEAUX(68 of86)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran celebrates scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Rennes and Bordeaux on January 12, 2013, at the Route de Lorient stadium in Rennes, western France. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-BORDEAUX-TROYES(69 of86)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran (L) vies for the ball with Troyes's midfielder Quentin Othon during the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Troyes, on December 22, 2012, at Chaban Delmas Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NANCY-BORDEAUX(70 of86)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran (C) vies with Nancy's French defender Sebastien Puygrenier and Nancy's French goalkeeper Damien Gregorini (R) during the French L1 football match Nancy (ASNL) vs Girondins de Bordeaux, on December 16, 2012 at Marcel Picot Stadium, in Tomblaine, eastern France. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-BORDEAUX-SAINT-ETIENNE(71 of86)
Bordeaux' French forward Yoan Gouffran runs with the ball during the French L1 football match Girondins de Bordeaux vs Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on December 13, 2012 at the Chaban Delmas Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. AFP PHOTO NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-BORDEAUX-SOCHAUX(72 of86)
Bordeaux's , forward Yoan Gouffran (2ndL) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Bordeaux vs Sochaux on December 1 2012 at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, south western France. AFP PHOTO PIERRE ANDRIEU (Photo credit should read PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(73 of86)
Bordeaux's Yoan Gouffran celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Maritimo during their Europa League group D soccer match at Maritimo's Barreiros stadium in Funchal, Portugal, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Octavio Passos) (credit:AP)
FBL-EUR-C3-BORDEAUX-BELGRADE(74 of86)
Bordeaux' forward Yoan Gouffran celebrates at the end of the UEFA Europa League play-off round second leg football match FC Girondins de Bordeaux vs Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda Beograd) on August 30, 2012 at Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. Bordeaux won 3-2 and qualified for the next round. AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Bordeaux' forward Yoan Gouffran (R) cele(75 of86)
Bordeaux' forward Yoan Gouffran (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Bordeaux vs Lorient on May 13, 2012 at Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux. AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran(76 of86)
Bordeaux's French forward Yoan Gouffran jubilates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Brest vs Bordeaux at the Francis Le Ble stadium on March 10, 2012 in Brest, western France. AFP PHOTO / FRED TANNEAU (Photo credit should read FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NANCY-LILLE(77 of86)
Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) vies for the ball with Lille's French defender Franck Beria during the French L1 football match between Nancy (ASNL) and Lille (LOSC) at the Marcel Picot stadium, on January 12, 2013, in Tomblaine. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NANCY-LILLE(78 of86)
Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) vies for the ball with Lille's French defender Franck Beria during the French L1 football match between Nancy (ASNL) and Lille (LOSC) at the Marcel Picot stadium, on January 12, 2013, in Tomblaine. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-BASTIA-NANCY(79 of86)
Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (L) vies for the ball with Bastia's French forward Anthony Modeste (R) during the French L1 football match Bastia vs Nancy, on December 22, 2012, at the Jean Laville stadium in Gueugnon. AFP PHOTO / THIERRY ZOCCOLAN (Photo credit should read THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LYON-NANCY(80 of86)
Lyon's Belgian midfielder Steed Malbranque (L) vies for the ball with Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) during the French L1 football match Lyon vs Nancy on December 12 , 2012 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE MERLE (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE MERLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LYON-NANCY(81 of86)
Lyon's French forward Bafetimbi Gomis (L) vies for the ball with Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) during the French L1 football match Lyon vs Nancy on December 12, 2012 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE MERLE (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE MERLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LYON-NANCY(82 of86)
Lyon's Brazilian midfielder Michel Fernandes Bastos (L) vies with Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara during the French L1 football match Lyon vs Nancy on December 12 , 2012 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE MERLE (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE MERLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRA-L1-LYON-NANCY(83 of86)
Lyon's Brazilian midfielder Michel Fernandes Bastos (L) vies with Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara during the French L1 football match Lyon vs Nancy on December 12 , 2012 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE MERLE (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE MERLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NANCY-VALENCIENNES(84 of86)
Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) fights for the ball with Valenciennes' French midfielder Gael Danic during their French L1 football match Nancy (ASNL) vs Valenciennes (VAFC) at Marcel Picot Stadium, on December 8, 2012 in Tomblaine, eastern French. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NANCY-SOCHAUX(85 of86)
Sochaux' French defender David Sauget (L) fights for the ball with Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara (R) during the French L1 football match Nancy (ASNL) vs Sochaux (FCSM) at Marcel Picot Stadium, on October 20, 2012 in Tomblaine. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE-NANCY(86 of86)
Nancy's French defender Massadio Haidara controls the ball during the French L1 football match Lille (LOSC) vs Nancy (ASNL), on August 17, 2012 at the Grand Stade in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)