This year has been significant for midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who has made notable progress with Les Gones over the past twelve months. When he joined Olympique Lyonnais, the main concern was his ability to transition from Serie B with Venezia to competing in the French top division. The USMNT midfielder was acquired by the Rhône club for €6 million, a substantial investment considering the club’s looming administrative relegation threat.
Initially, Tessmann faced challenges securing playing time at Lyon. With fierce competition in midfield, the former Venezia player needed to take advantage of every opportunity he was given, which he certainly did. Throughout the first half of the season, most of his appearances came from the bench. However, after delivering impressive performances at the base of midfield against Reims and PSG, the 25-year-old solidified his spot, significantly reducing Nemanja Matić’s minutes on the pitch.
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Since establishing himself as a regular in the lineup, Tessmann has greatly influenced how Paulo Fonseca envisions his OL team playing. Occupying the defensive midfield role, often within a three-man midfield setup, the American has embraced a more selfless approach, facilitating the opportunities for his teammates to play in advanced positions and impact the attack. This was evident with the more offensive role Tolisso adopted under the new Portuguese coach, along with Rayan Cherki’s successful performances before he transferred to Manchester City.
Tessmann’s sights set on the 2026 World Cup
Tessmann’s role in controlling the tempo and performing the essential duties in midfield has become even more pivotal this season. The summer transfer window brought significant changes to Lyon, with Matić and Jordan Veretout leaving the club. Now, Tessmann serves as one of the more experienced figures in Lyon’s midfield. Additionally, with the arrival of Tyler Morton, he has been granted more chances to advance forward, as showcased by his stunning long-range strike in the UEFA Europa League against Utrecht, which kickstarted their European campaign on a high note.
If Tessmann can maintain his impactful presence at Lyon, he aims to carry that momentum into the summer, where he will represent the USA in a home World Cup.