Téji Savanier: Can The Gypsy King Of Montpellier Inspire Them Again?
Montpellier's Fate Hinges On Savanier Rekindling His Magic.
Montpellier's season opener raises alarm bells. After three matches, they've leaked 10 goals, a statistic that historically dooms most teams to relegation.
PSG's 6-0 thrashing skews the data, but a single point haul from games with Nantes and Strasbourg expose deeper issues.
L’Equipe unveiled a frightening statistic after Montpellier’s latest defeat against Nantes before the international break.
Eight of the last nine teams that have leaked 10 goals at this stage of a Ligue 1 season have been relegated.
The Need for Improvement
There is no shame in losing to PSG, many in Ligue 1 will this season what is more worrying for Michel Der Zakarian’s troops is the flat performances against Nantes and Strasbourg, two opponents they would have fancied themselves against.
When a team starts the season badly often the international break is the perfect time to right the ship and prepare for the winter battle ahead.
Montpellier’s next five fixtures do not get any easier, so it is imperative they identify their frailties on the pitch and rectify them.
Michel Der Zakarian: No-Nonsense Coach
Michel Der Zakarian is a no-nonsense type of coach. He is stern and has a wealth of experience, having managed Montpellier previously between 2017 and 2021.
Montpellier and Der Zakarian faces a critical juncture.
The international break offers a chance to regroup before a grueling five-match stretch.
Der Zakarian's history with the club runs deep, mirroring that of star midfielder Téji Savanier.
Star Player: Téji Savanier
When people think of Montpellier, they instantly think of their innately talented midfielder Téji Savanier.
The 32-year-old midfielder is unique.
The maestro, embodies Montpellier's spirit. His journey from local prodigy to Ligue 1 standout is legendary.
Despite rejecting big-money moves, he remains fiercely loyal to his roots in the Figuerolles neighborhood.
He has a level of skill and mischief that makes even the most cantankerous onlookers come alive with sheer joy.
Montpellier's fate hinges on Savanier rekindling his magic. His form dictates the team's performance, a heavy burden for aging legs.
As Montpellier fights to maintain its 16-season Ligue 1 streak, Savanier must ignite a revival to avoid a premature end to his illustrious career with his boyhood club.
Savanier's Rise to Fame
Back in the 2018-19 season, Savanier burst onto the Ligue 1 scene with newly promoted Nîmes, a fierce local rival of Montpellier.
On paper, Nîmes appeared destined to return straight back to Ligue 2. But thankfully for Nîmes and Savanier, football is played on grass.
Savanier produced 13 assists (top in the division) and scored 6 goals in Ligue 1 to drag Nîmes to a comfortable mid-table finish that few could comprehend.
Destiny Calls
After propelling Nîmes far above their station, Savanier’s first love, Montpellier, came calling to bring their prodigal son back home.
His spiritual home is Montpellier. He comes from a neighborhood known as Figuerolles, a short walk from the center of Montpellier.
The Gély estate is a far cry from where you might imagine a Ligue 1 footballer to reside.
It is made up of social housing, where 95% of the residents come from the gypsy community.
If you venture in search of Savanier’s home, you will know you are close when you see the magnificent murals of him on the concrete walls.
A Family Man
Savanier is likely to be with his extended family sharing a McDonald’s far away from the glitz and glamour that most footballers indulge in during their spare time.
Back in 2009, Savanier was a striker and won the prestigious U18s Gambardella Cup with Montpellier, playing alongside Younès Belhanda, Benjamin Stambouli, and Remy Cabella.
The road seemed destined for Savanier to progress into the Montpellier senior setup. But like all roads in life, there were unexpected detours.
In 2011, he was released and found himself at Arles-Avignon, where he was repurposed as a creative midfielder—a position he was born to play.
Suddenly, Savanier, at age 20, found himself away from his familiar gypsy community.
He only moved to his new club because he brought his mother with him on the voyage where they shared an apartment a 40-minute drive away from his childhood home.
The Journey
Playing in front of just a few hundred spectators and with his new club at the bottom of Ligue 2, the young Savanier felt uncertain but this experience molded the player we know and love today.
After four seasons, Arles-Avignon was liquidated thankfully for the player he impressed in the challenging environment.
He then joined Nîmes, which allowed him to return to his familiar neighborhood surrounded by family.
Savanier’s home neighborhood holds a special charm. He even turned down an offer from AC Milan because of it.
That breakout season in Ligue 1 with Nîmes should have seen Savanier honored as Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
It is a travesty that he has not graced Champions League pitches during his career.
Savanier At 32: Still Going Strong
Today, Savanier is 32 years old. His legs and fuel tank may not be what they used to be, but his skill and intensity are still more than impressive.
He is not the young player he once was. Even though he is past his athletic prime, he is essential to the Montpellier team.
When Savanier plays well, the entire team plays better. However, when he has an off day, the whole team lacks cohesion and purpose.
For the last 16 seasons, Montpellier has played in Ligue 1. One feels a family man like Savanier may ride off into the sunset earlier than most.
No one would bemoan Savanier one big-money move to support his extended family for years to come. Yet, he might also crave a life away from the spotlight, surrounded by family and friends.
Savanier is to Montpellier what Salah is to Liverpool. He is the fire starter; he sets the tempo by his performance, lifting those around him.
It would be a crushing anti-climax for Savanier’s career full of fireworks if he does not rekindle his form and inspire Montpellier in the coming months.
Let’s hope Savanier triggers another detonation of Montpellier delight and optimism after the international break.
The opening three games of the Ligue 1 season have injected manager Der Zakarian with a cautionary shot of sober realism, when Savanier is on song he leaves more fancied opponents rattled.
His set-pieces overshadow much vaunted defences evoking a sense of panic that leaves them powerless.
Some of his ridiculous attacking craft infused with effervescent bursts from the tightest of angles, quite simply need to be seen to be believed.
As Italian great Pirlo aged, his penchant for humiliating and damaging the opposition stayed the same, something tells you that the nearly flawless Savanier will be similar.