Abdoulaye Méïté
Encyclopedia
Abdoulaye Méïté is a French
born Ivorian
footballer who plays for Dijon FCO
. He represents Côte d'Ivoire
internationally and has been awarded 48 caps.
after joining them in July 2006 from Olympique de Marseille
. He had been with Marseille since 2001 and had made 172 League appearances, as well as many in European competition – including one against Bolton in January 2006. Whilst at Marseille he started in the 2004 UEFA Cup Final
.
Méïté scored two goals for Bolton: one in the 3–1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal
on Wednesday, 14 February 2007, and the other in a 1–1 draw against ZFK Rabotnicki Kometal of Macedonia
, in the UEFA Cup
, on 20 September the same year.
In March 2008 he was involved in controversy during Bolton's defeat against Manchester United
at Old Trafford
. Manager Gary Megson
blamed him for two goals that Bolton had conceded in the first half of the game (both scored by Cristiano Ronaldo
), and Méïté refused to come out for the second half. He claimed he was unfit to carry on, but the Bolton medical staff confirmed that there was no injury.
Megson subsequently forced Méïté to train with the reserves, and the player was widely expected to move on from the Reebok Stadium
. He never played for Bolton again; he was not selected for any of the remaining eight Premier League fixtures in the 2007–08 season
. He had previously missed only twelve League games in the two years he had been at Bolton, and five of these were while he was representing Cote d'Ivoire in the African Nations Cup, in January and February 2008.
When Bolton's squad numbers for the 2008–09 season were announced, Méïté had not signed for any other club and he was assigned the number 10 shirt for Bolton. This caused further controversy as the number 10 shirt had once been worn by John McGinlay
, a particular favourite of many Bolton fans in the 1990s. After Méïté's behaviour at Old Trafford, many found this a hilarious decision.
As the 2008–09 season approached, Méïté was linked with Premier League newcomers West Bromwich Albion
and Hull City
, both of which had bids accepted by Bolton. Méïté chose to sign for West Brom on 10 August 2008 for an initial fee of £2 million, which could rise to £2.5 million depending on appearances. The contract covers three years, with a fourth year in the club's favour. Meïté made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal
in the opening game of the 2008–09
Premier League season.
His first season at West Brom was interrupted by a series of injuries http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1163409/WEST-BROM-v-Bolton-Meite-injury-adds-Mowbrays-woes-Bolton-clash.html, with four separate spells out of the side restricting him to 18 appearances. For the first ten Championship games of the 2009–10 season Shelton Martis
was preferred by the Baggies' new first team coach, Roberto Di Matteo
, and there was speculation that Méïté might be allowed to leave the club http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_5590100,00.html. But following a disappointing run of results, culminating in a catastrophic defensive display against Barnsley
(when Martis scored an own goal)http://www.wba.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~47631,00.html Méïté returned to the side against Preston North End
on 3 October http://www.wba.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~47684,00.html, and Albion conceded just four goals in the next eight games.http://www.wba.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10366~2009,00.html Following a 4–0 win away to Sheffield Wednesday
at the end of November, Di Matteo picked out Méïté and his central defensive partner Jonas Olsson for praise: "Jonas leads the back four most of the time but Abou is also doing a great job."http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1893849,00.html
Having played 20 games in the Championship promotion season, mostly alongside Jonas Olsson in the centre of defence, Méïté was left out in the cold by Roberto Di Matteo in the 2010-11 Premier League campaign, playing only in the League Cup. Since the sacking of Di Matteo in early 2011, due to a poor sequence of results, Méïté has seen a revival under the tutelage of new Head Coach Roy Hodgson.
To the surprise of many Albion fans, Méïté was brought back to partner Olsson against Stoke City, which added to the 3-3 draw vs West Ham under caretaker manager Michael Appleton, has resulted in a 7 game unbeaten run, including a 2-1 home win over Liverpool.
The organizational skills brought in by Hodgson has galvanized the Albion defensive unit, with Méïté bringing a composed, positional sense to the controlled aggression of Olsson.
On 25 May 2011, Méïté was released by West Bromwich Albion. http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2365961,00.html
On 30 June 2011, Méïté was signed by Ligue 1
newcomers Dijon FCO
. Meite joins French newcomers Dijon. BBC Sport, 30 June 2011
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
born Ivorian
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
footballer who plays for Dijon FCO
Dijon FCO
Dijon Football Côte d'Or is a French association football club based in Dijon. The club was founded in 1998 as a result of a merger between two local clubs in the city and currently competes in Ligue 1 after gaining promotion for the first time ever in the 2010-11 season.The club president is...
. He represents Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
internationally and has been awarded 48 caps.
Career
Before joining West Brom, Méïté spent two years with Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
after joining them in July 2006 from Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. He had been with Marseille since 2001 and had made 172 League appearances, as well as many in European competition – including one against Bolton in January 2006. Whilst at Marseille he started in the 2004 UEFA Cup Final
2004 UEFA Cup Final
The 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
.
Méïté scored two goals for Bolton: one in the 3–1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on Wednesday, 14 February 2007, and the other in a 1–1 draw against ZFK Rabotnicki Kometal of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, on 20 September the same year.
In March 2008 he was involved in controversy during Bolton's defeat against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
. Manager Gary Megson
Gary Megson
Gary John Megson is an English former football player and is currently manager of Sheffield Wednesday.He has previously managed Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers...
blamed him for two goals that Bolton had conceded in the first half of the game (both scored by Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
), and Méïté refused to come out for the second half. He claimed he was unfit to carry on, but the Bolton medical staff confirmed that there was no injury.
Megson subsequently forced Méïté to train with the reserves, and the player was widely expected to move on from the Reebok Stadium
Reebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
. He never played for Bolton again; he was not selected for any of the remaining eight Premier League fixtures in the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
. He had previously missed only twelve League games in the two years he had been at Bolton, and five of these were while he was representing Cote d'Ivoire in the African Nations Cup, in January and February 2008.
When Bolton's squad numbers for the 2008–09 season were announced, Méïté had not signed for any other club and he was assigned the number 10 shirt for Bolton. This caused further controversy as the number 10 shirt had once been worn by John McGinlay
John McGinlay
John McGinlay is a Scottish former footballer who is perhaps best known for his spell at Bolton Wanderers in the mid to late 1990s.-Early Career:...
, a particular favourite of many Bolton fans in the 1990s. After Méïté's behaviour at Old Trafford, many found this a hilarious decision.
As the 2008–09 season approached, Méïté was linked with Premier League newcomers West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, both of which had bids accepted by Bolton. Méïté chose to sign for West Brom on 10 August 2008 for an initial fee of £2 million, which could rise to £2.5 million depending on appearances. The contract covers three years, with a fourth year in the club's favour. Meïté made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the opening game of the 2008–09
Premier League 2008–09
The 2008–09 Premier League season was the seventeenth since its establishment in 1992. Manchester United became champions for the eleventh time on the penultimate weekend of the season, defending their crown after winning their tenth Premier League title on the final day of the previous season...
Premier League season.
His first season at West Brom was interrupted by a series of injuries http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1163409/WEST-BROM-v-Bolton-Meite-injury-adds-Mowbrays-woes-Bolton-clash.html, with four separate spells out of the side restricting him to 18 appearances. For the first ten Championship games of the 2009–10 season Shelton Martis
Shelton Martis
Shelton Martis is a football defender, currently playing for Doncaster Rovers.-Early career:...
was preferred by the Baggies' new first team coach, Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo is a Swiss-born Italian former professional footballer and the current assistant manager of Chelsea. As a midfielder, he enjoyed spells at Schaffhausen, Zürich Aarau, Lazio, and Chelsea. He was capped by Italy 34 times, scoring two goals for the Italian national team, and played...
, and there was speculation that Méïté might be allowed to leave the club http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_5590100,00.html. But following a disappointing run of results, culminating in a catastrophic defensive display against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
(when Martis scored an own goal)http://www.wba.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~47631,00.html Méïté returned to the side against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
on 3 October http://www.wba.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~47684,00.html, and Albion conceded just four goals in the next eight games.http://www.wba.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10366~2009,00.html Following a 4–0 win away to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
at the end of November, Di Matteo picked out Méïté and his central defensive partner Jonas Olsson for praise: "Jonas leads the back four most of the time but Abou is also doing a great job."http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1893849,00.html
Having played 20 games in the Championship promotion season, mostly alongside Jonas Olsson in the centre of defence, Méïté was left out in the cold by Roberto Di Matteo in the 2010-11 Premier League campaign, playing only in the League Cup. Since the sacking of Di Matteo in early 2011, due to a poor sequence of results, Méïté has seen a revival under the tutelage of new Head Coach Roy Hodgson.
To the surprise of many Albion fans, Méïté was brought back to partner Olsson against Stoke City, which added to the 3-3 draw vs West Ham under caretaker manager Michael Appleton, has resulted in a 7 game unbeaten run, including a 2-1 home win over Liverpool.
The organizational skills brought in by Hodgson has galvanized the Albion defensive unit, with Méïté bringing a composed, positional sense to the controlled aggression of Olsson.
On 25 May 2011, Méïté was released by West Bromwich Albion. http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2365961,00.html
On 30 June 2011, Méïté was signed by Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
newcomers Dijon FCO
Dijon FCO
Dijon Football Côte d'Or is a French association football club based in Dijon. The club was founded in 1998 as a result of a merger between two local clubs in the city and currently competes in Ligue 1 after gaining promotion for the first time ever in the 2010-11 season.The club president is...
. Meite joins French newcomers Dijon. BBC Sport, 30 June 2011
Honours
- 2004 UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Finalist (Olympique de Marseille) - 2005 Intertoto Cup Winner (Olympique de Marseille)
- 2006 French Cup Finalist (Olympique de Marseille)
External links
Marseille bio- Abdoulaye Meite profile on Premier League
- Abdoulaye Meite profile on BBC Sport