Who is Gervinho? A rumoured Liverpool transfer target

An Ivorian with a Brazilian name, Gervinho’s real name is Gervais Yao Kouassi and he started his career at ASEC Mimosas in his native Ivory Coast. Playing at the club’s youth academy, a Brazilian coach gave him the Portuguese-Brazilian nickname after his surname Gervais. From here, he moved to Toumodi FC after five years with Mimosas, before moving to Belgium to play with K.S.K Beveren in 2004, aged just 17. Many Ivorians had used the same path before, travelling from Africa to the Jupiler League in Belgium, a league slightly less competitive than some of Europe’s biggest leagues.

At Beveren, Gervinho broke into the first team in 2005 and played over 60 league matches in 2 seasons for the Belgian team, impressing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who was rumoured to be preparing bid for the young 20 year old. In the summer of 2007 however, French Ligue One side Le Mans bought the player from Beveren. It was at this time Gervinho came to the attention of the Ivory Coast national team. He was named captain of the Ivory Coast Olympic football team as they qualified for the games with a 3-1 win over Mali in September 2007. Two months later, he got his first call up for the senior team and was included in the squad for the 2008 African Nations. He was handed the number 10 jersey, and made his debut for his country during the tournament, making two substitute appearances for the Ivorians.

After a successful first season with Le Mans in France, Gervinho was selected to play in the Olympics and scored and assisted two in the national team’s 3-2 victory over Serbia in the group stages. After returning from Beijing, he had another good season with Le Mans, and last summer, the 22 year old was in much demand. During his spell at the French club, he had been monitored by a number of top clubs, including Paris St Germain, Marseille, Monaco and Arsenal, but it was Lille who purchased the player in July 2009 for an estimated €8million.

The money was certainly well spent as the winger scored 13 league goals in 32 appearances as the club finished fourth in the league and had a successful Europa League campaign, losing to Liverpool in the knockout stages. Gervinho has been tipped as one of the most talented players to ever come out of the Ivory Coast, and he is a two footed player who can play in any attacking position. Mostly known for his dribbling skills and lightning pace, his successful season with Lille last season led to speculation that he would be moving on yet again to a bigger club, and he was forced in April into issuing a statement that he will stay at the French club next season. He has stated though he is aware of interest from Arsenal and talked of his admiration for Arsene Wenger. The 23 year old has also stated his desire to play in England:

“It is my dream to play in the Premier League and I would like to fuflfill it with Liverpool.”

At this summer’s World Cup, he started the first match against Portugal in the 0-0 draw before being surprisingly omitted from the starting eleven by Sven-Goran Eriksson for the second group match against Brazil. He started the final match against North Korea, and it has been rumoured that Roy Hodgson may offer £8million to Lille for the player as a quick replacement for Yossi Benayoun.

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