Anthony Le Tallec

Anthony Le Tallec (born October 3, 1984 in Hennebont, Brittany) is a France Association football who currently plays for Le Mans Union Club 72, as a Forward (football) or Midfielder Attacking midfielder.

Football career

Le Tallec was signed from Le Havre AC by Liverpool F.C. in 2001, along with Anthony Le Tallec cousin Florent Sinama-Pongolle, by then manager Gérard Houllier. This was after impressive performances for the French national youth team in the UEFA U-16 Championship 2001 and 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. At the latter tournament, Anthony Le Tallec was awarded the 'Silver Ball' as the second best player (behind Anthony Le Tallec cousin), and France emerged champions. Both players remained a further two years at Le Havre, loaned by the Reds.

After Anthony Le Tallec return, Le Tallec featured in Liverpool's UEFA Champions League 2004-05, starting in the home leg of the quarter final tie against Juventus F.C., but not appearing in the list of 18 in the final.

For the FA Premier League, Anthony Le Tallec joined Sunderland A.F.C on loan, in a bid to gain some more first team football. Anthony Le Tallec stated: "I am a competitor and I want to play all the time, but with Liverpool it was impossible. I chose to come to Sunderland because I need to play every week". In a disappointing season for the club, who finished bottom of the table, Anthony Le Tallec was their top scorer with only five goals in all competitions. Anthony Le Tallec scored a header against Fulham F.C., helping Sunderland pick up their only home win all season.

In May 2006, Le Tallec completed Anthony Le Tallec loan period and Sunderland announced they would not be looking to retain Anthony Le Tallec services. Anthony Le Tallec returned to Liverpool but was not given a squad number by boss Rafael Benítez. At the end of the month, Anthony Le Tallec joined up with the France national under-21 football team for the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, which took place May 23–June 4, 2006 in Portugal. Le Tallec only featured in France's final group match, after they had already secured qualification, and Anthony Le Tallec was substituted after 61 minutes.

In August 2006, Le Tallec moved to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, on another loan deal. Anthony Le Tallec won the Coupe de France 2006-07 scoring a last minute goal in the final, which led to Sochaux winning the match on penalty shootout against Olympique de Marseille. Incidentally, a fellow Liverpool player out on loan, Djibril Cissé, scored two goals in the match for the opposition.

On 31 August 2007, it was reported that Scottish Premier League's Heart of Midlothian F.C were close to signing Le Tallec.However, the player ended up moving to Ligue 1 outfit Le Mans Union Club 72, on loan for the entire season, with a view to a permanent deal for approximately £1.1 million pounds.Following the season, Le Mans decided to make the loan permanent, signing Le Tallec to a four-year deal.

Personal life

Le Tallec's younger brother, Damien Le Tallec, is also a footballer. Another former French youth international, Anthony Le Tallec currently plays for Borussia Dortmund.

Honours

Club

FC Sochaux
- Coupe de France: Coupe de France 2006-07

Liverpool FC
- UEFA Champions League: UEFA Champions League 2004-05

Country

France
- FIFA U-17 World Championship: 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship