Saturday, 18th February, 2012


Lille midfielder Benoit Pedretti should be playing for a club like Real Madrid – that is the view of the player’s former manager Guy Lacombe.

Pedretti played under Lacombe early on in his career at Sochaux and at the time was tipped for big things in the game, with a move abroad appearing to be a distinct possibility.

However, the midfielder, who has won caps for France, never took the leap outside of Ligue 1 and, as a result, did not appear for the illustrious side he could have done, according to his former boss.

From Sochaux the defensive midfielder moved to Marseille, then on to Auxerre and landed with reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille in the summer, as a replacement for Newcastle United-bound Yohan Cabaye.

It could all have been so different from Lacombe’s point of view.

"There were foreign clubs who had approached Pedretti, but it did not happen and I regret this a bit", Lacombe told Sport 10.

"There was Real Madrid, he also had contact with Valencia and Sevilla.

"At the time I think he was of the standard to play for Real. He might have been able to impose himself there."

Pedretti has appeared for Lille 17 times this season, finding the back of the net on three occasions.

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