You’ve finally been in Messin for a week… How is your integration going?
“It’s going really well! I had the chance to meet the coach before my arrival. We were able to discuss, it’s really a good thing. Afterwards, I was a little surprised by the intensity of the workouts (to smile). There is a level of deviation from what I have experienced so far. But, as the coach told me, I have to take the train quickly. “
Can we speak of relief after a month of uncertainty around your loan to FC Metz?
“Yes, frankly, it was an incredible relief because I really wanted to join FC Metz. It was the plan to continue my progress. Today, I am on loan and I have to give everything for a year to, why not, get a contract as quickly as possible. There is everything you need to work well, the facilities, the coach, a very good team, a good group… You can say that everything is in my hands and it’s up to me to work to do things well properly. “
How do you see your new coach, Frédéric Antonetti?
“I watch football a lot, so I’ve known him for quite a while. He’s a very good Ligue 1 coach with incredible experience. Having the chance to meet him is the best. Other clubs were interested, I had a few opportunities but working with Frédéric Antonetti was, for me, the best thing. “
Have you spoken with your former teammate at Guingamp, the ex-Garnet Yeni Nbakoto, about your arrival in Lorraine?
“I spoke with him. He waited talked about the interest of FC Metz and he sent me a message. He told me a lot of good about FC Metz, that it was a good club, a good environment for me and my progress. “
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“Today, I speak despite my young age and I take pleasure in it”
Physically, how are you doing?
“I feel better and better. I continued to train well with Guingamp even though I did not have the opportunity to play any friendly matches because I was in the process of leaving. “
What do you think you need to improve to be even more efficient?
“We discussed it with the coach, and I agree with his analysis: he spoke about my concentration. I am young, I am evolving in a position of high responsibility and I must always be focused, especially in Ligue 1. “
Despite your young age, you have also already donned the costume of defense boss at Guingamp …
“It is necessary, it is a necessity in this position. We must assert ourselves. When I arrived in Guingamp, Yeni (Ngbakoto) who saw it thoroughly, talked to me a lot. I had the chance to play quickly and he told me that since I was playing behind, that I had responsibilities, I had to behave like a boss. He really helped me there. Today, I speak despite my young age and I enjoy it. “
You are a versatile player, do you have a favorite position?
” I have no preference. I have already played left side, in a three-way defense, I even evolved in the axis of the three. I can change jobs and I have no preferential scheme… ”
What was your background before your first steps with the pros with Valenciennes in March 2017?
“I lived in Saint-Germain-en-Laye so it was natural that I joined PSG among young amateurs, from beginners to U14. I did not join the pre-training center and I decided to join Boulogne-Billancourt (a recognized training club). I did not have the chance to be spotted by a training center at that time so I went to Evreux, which is a good club for the development of young people. Finally, it is Valenciennes (in 2016) who recruited me and started me pro. ”
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