Jean Makoun's Aston Villa career remains one of the most peculiar in the club's modern history. Signed in January 2011 for £5 million (potentially rising to £6.5 million with add-ons) from Lyon, the Cameroonian international was heralded as the missing piece of the midfield puzzle at Villa Park. Yet just over two years later, he departed for a nominal fee after making only nine appearances in claret and blue.
An Unforgettable Arrival
Makoun's unveiling was as memorable for his fashion choices as his footballing pedigree. Appearing before the national media in a retro diamond-patterned jumper and tight-fitting white jeans, he looked more like a retired golfer than a professional footballer. Introduced to a nearly sold-out crowd before a home win over Manchester City, he charmed fans with his beaming smile and love for fashion.
Speaking through a translator, Makoun joked about the attention his jumper received. "Are we talking about my jumper again? Next match I plan to wear it again," he said. "I do love fashion. Looking fashionable is something I enjoy and I'm proud of it. I haven't had much time to go and have a good look around the shops in Birmingham yet, but from what I've seen there are plenty of good places to shop." He added, "With regards to my jumper, it was a friend who bought it for me. I love it too and I'm delighted the fans like it. I have told my friend that everyone loves it and he's delighted it was such a great gift. It's been guarded, I'm really scared someone will steal it now."
Houllier's High Hopes
Manager Gerard Houllier was effusive in his praise for Makoun before the deal was completed. "He could be a good asset for us because he is experienced, he has played Champions League with Lille and Lyon and he is exactly what we need at times," Houllier stated. "Since he came back into the team Lyon have moved from 18th to fourth in the table. Their chairman said it is difficult for him. He said: 'I promised the player he could go, but now my manager said now he cannot go', so of course I asked 'Does the player want to go or not?' But it is okay. You will like him. He's a very nice, easy character."
Houllier continued, "Can he take us from 18th to fourth? That's exactly what I thought when I heard that – it would be good! When he was at Lille I tried to sign him for Lyon, and they signed him when I left. He is exactly what we need in an area where we are not blessed with numbers. He can win the ball back, sit in front of the defence and be a box-to-box player – he is versatile. He is not the biggest in size, but he is very good in the air when he leaps."
Makoun's Early Promise and Rapid Decline
Makoun started strongly, impressing in his debut against Wigan in a 2-1 win. However, in just his fourth game, he was sent off for a bad challenge on Blackpool's DJ Campbell, resulting in a three-match suspension that disrupted his integration into the side.
Then-Villa reporter for the Birmingham Mail, Mat Kendrick, wrote: "So Aston Villa did sign a 'Proper Charlie' to pull the strings in midfield during the January transfer window after all. But, despite a month of fall outs with Blackpool over the pursuit of Ian Holloway's precious captain, it was not Charlie Adam. On Saturday's evidence, the Proper Charlie in the middle of the park was Jean II Makoun following his senseless sending-off. It took some doing for Makoun to steal the spotlight for all the wrong reasons on a day which was all about Holloway v Houllier. Makoun's late lunge at DJ Campbell prompted a straight red card on 70 minutes, and the former Lyon star's needlessly premature departure summed up a strangely subdued second-half performance from Villa."
Makoun struggled to regain his place after the red card, though he remained positive. "There's a few of us," he said. "I prepare myself every day to play but I don't expect to play every game. We've got a lot of good players in that position and at the moment everyone can play. I'm happy that my passing helps the rest of the team. We've got lots of qualities in the team and lots of other players who can pass well too. We try to put those qualities in turn towards helping the team. If I play with Nigel, for example, I am more towards the front. If I'm with Stiliyan I play more towards the back. For me the position isn't terribly important. We are all working together – sometimes we go forward and attack, sometimes we defend and the roles all integrate into each other."
The Beginning of the End
When Gerard Houllier left Villa due to health reasons after a heart scare, Makoun's fate was sealed. New manager Alex McLeish decided Makoun was not part of his plans and loaned him to Olympiacos for the 2011/12 season, where he helped the Greek side win the title.
McLeish explained, "He's still in Greece, he is there for the season, in the same way we had Jermaine Jenas. Has he got a future with us? It depends. The reason for letting Jean out was I looking for a different type of midfielder. I'm not saying he's not got a future – it would be stupid to say that – but certainly I was looking at our midfield without Jean. He knew at the start of the season that I was planning to do something else."
After McLeish's departure, work permit issues prevented Makoun from joining new manager Paul Lambert's pre-season tour of America in August 2012. Extra documentation was required following his year-long loan in Greece, and complications arose from his inability to pass an English language test after his lessons ended during his temporary move away. The delay proved fatal to his Villa career, and he was loaned to Stade Rennais in France for the season, later making the move permanent for a nominal fee after just nine appearances for Villa over two and a half years.
Life After Villa
Makoun went on to make 60 appearances for Rennes, establishing himself in midfield. He later played for Antalyaspor in Turkey for two seasons before ending his career with Merit Alsancak Yeşilova in Cyprus. Post-football, he now works with the African Confederation of Football 7, helping to grow the seven-a-side game in Africa.
