The prospect of two brothers playing alongside each other in British football, take Leeds United for instance, feels somewhat antiquated in these modern and much-changed times.
Leeds have had their fair share of father and son, and occasionally grandson, connections. See Eddie Gray, Andy Gray, and young Archie Gray. Charlie Cresswell and Richard Cresswell, too.
But the last time two brothers played together in that famous white shirt, sharing a pitch together at Elland Road, was when twins Rod and Ray Wallace called Elland Road home in the early-to mid 1990s.
Now, there is nothing at this stage to suggest that Leeds United are planning to raid Eintracht Frankfurt for Paxten Aaronson, the FC Utrecht loanee and younger sibling of Brenden.
And, with reports linking Joshua him with a move away from West Yorkshire, the chances after that Elland Road will be home to no Guilavogui’s come the summer, let alone two.
According to claims which emerged last week, Joshua Guilavogui is discussing a return to France with Paris FC.
The veteran midfielder is only under contract at Leeds until the summer. And the chance to swap cameo appearances in England with a leading role in his homeland, at a Paris FC side who have not graded France’s top flight since 1979, appears to hold at least some appeal.
Could Leeds United target Morgan Guilavogui as his brother faces uncertain Elland Road future?
Former Wolfsburg captain Joshua Guilavogui is 34 years of age now. He will turn 35 in September. At the other end of the age spectrum, though, sits Morgan Guilavogui.
A 26-year-old attacker who, like his older brother, is making his name in the breakneck world of Bundesliga football.
Morgan, interestingly, moved to St Pauli on loan from RC Lens after a prolific final season, funnily enough, at the aforementioned Paris FC. He scored 18 goals in 36 games, an average of one in two, during his farewell campaign at PSG’s local neighbours.
Now, the younger Guilavogui is not going to trouble the 20-goal barrier this term. But, in what is his first season in a major European league, the late-blooming forward has embraced the role of talisman in St Pauli’s attempts to avoid an immediate return to Germany’s second tier.
After scoring in vital wins over Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim, as well as netting against reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen, Guilavogui came of age as St Pauli hammered Union Berlin 3-0 to secure their biggest win back on the big stage.
Breezing down the right-hand flank, Guilavogui’s opener on the half-hour mark was typical of a forward in form.
One touch to set himself, and another to rifle the ball into the roof of Union Berlin’s net. Guilavogui doubled St Pauli’s advantage with another confident right-footed strike before his ingenious backheel assisted the third in stoppage time.
“The whole team played a great game. We deserved to win 3-0,” smiled Guilavogui, taking his tally to six goals and three assists for the season. “I think we were strong in all areas. Honestly, it was great,e specially because we’ve now won two games in a row.
“When you win a series of games, your confidence naturally increases. This is not a game that we won by the skin of our teeth, but one that we deserved.”
Guilavogui is the sort of attacker Leeds boss Daniel Farke likes
Speaking of ‘deserved’, even if St Pauli fall short in their survival ambitions, Guilavogui has surely already proven that he ‘deserves’ to stick around in the Bundesliga.
Or, failing that, a Lens who sold the likes of Lois Openda, Brice Samba, Cheikh Doucoure and Seko Fofana for big profits should have relatively few problems finding a buyer for a player who could yet bring about a healthy return on their £3.5 million investment.
Whether Morgan could, or should, become the second member of the Guilavogui family to represent Leeds United, as things stand, is purely hypothetical. What can be said with a little more certainty, however, is that Leeds appear to be in the market for a versatile attacker capable of filling in a variety of roles.
Leeds have watched Real Salt Lake sensation Diego Luna. Lausanne Sport schemer Alvyn Sanches has admirers at Elland Road too, while Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Dor Turgeman has been tipped to join Manor Solomon, or potentially replace him should the Tottenham-owned winger end up returning to North London over the summer.
Guilavogui’s career may be heading in a similar trajectory to that of the vastly-experienced Joshua – standing out in Germany after starting out in France – but, on the pitch, Morgan’s development has taken a very different shape.
St Pauli star has an ‘incredible’ talent in front of goal
“He’s a player who has an atypical trajectory,” Youssef Sif told AFP, via Challenges, one of Morgan Guilavogui’s former coaches recalling how he began in the sort of defensive midfield role Joshua made his own at Wolfsburg.
“Many players start as attackers and end up as defenders. Very few do the opposite. He wanted to play like his brother, his role model, but we quickly identified his qualities; Ball carrying, passing, and a sense of goal.
“He returned modestly to Sporting [Toulon, his first club]. Then, the Under19 coach put him back at centre-forward and he exploded, scoring around forty goals.
“Face-to-face with the goalkeeper, he has an incredible relaxation. You can see it in his body language. He is comfortable in front of goal, in his best element.”
Leeds picked up Joshua Guilavogui on a short-team deal because of the experience, leadership and composure he could bring in a frantic promotion battle. Morgan Guilavogui, meanwhile, possesses many of the attributes Farke looks for in his wide players.
Raw pace, excellent movement in behind, an unselfish streak, and above all a keen eye for goal.
“He makes us extremely proud,” Joshua beamed in an interview with L’Equipe. “He is discovering the very high level. He is starting to tick a lot of boxes so I will have to stay active.
“Otherwise, people will soon say to me; ‘You are Morgan’s big brother, ah you played football too?'”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
