This is the revelation of the start of the season. Perfect stranger, landed from Lens at the same time as Thomas Vicensini, Tom Ducrocq never ceases to surprise. Tireless worker in the heart of the game, at only 21 years old, the young northerner delights SCB supporters
This is the revelation of the start of the season. Perfect stranger, landed from Lens at the same time as Thomas Vicensini, Tom Ducrocq never ceases to surprise. Tireless worker in the heart of the game, at only 21 years old, the young northerner delights SCB supporters
This is the story of a young man who arrived on tiptoe, not necessarily expected during the offseason, but who, in the space of a few matches, proved his enormous potential and his value making him a starter. indisputable in the midfield of Bastia.
This beautiful story is that of Tom Ducrocq. A warrior at heart, little Ch’ti quickly established himself in Mathieu Chabert’s game system. Never stingy with efforts, the native of Nordausques, passed by the club of Saint-Omer, discovers more in depth the high-level with Sporting, at 21 years old. A pure product from the North of France, this is the first time he has left his native region.
In all self-respecting Ch’ti, it is only natural that the young midfielder joined the training center of RC Lens, spotted by a recruiter at the hope pole of Lievin. Little by little he climbed the ranks until training with the first team, thus finding himself at the gates of the professional world. “I will remember my first bench with Lens all my life, says the player. It was against Metz, a pivotal match in Ligue 2. In Bollaert, the supporters’ kop is located in the side stand, just in front of the sidelines. When I left the tunnel, entering the lawn, there was a crazy atmosphere, the spectators sang the Corons. “
The advice of Ghisolfi, Cahu and Leca
Unfortunately, Tom Ducrocq will not play a single minute in the league. He will have to be satisfied with a few appearances on the sidelines, but will obtain some tenure in the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France. Knowing that it would be difficult to get a starting place in the Blood and Gold ranks, he decided to join the Sporting Club de Bastia on loan during the summer of 2020. “I didn’t hesitate for long. Florent Ghisolfi (RC Lens sports coordinator and former Bastia midfielder from 2005 to 2010, editor’s note), called me into his office and introduced me to the Sporting project. Coming out of the interview, coincidence: I came face to face with Yannick Cahuzac and Jean-Louis Leca. They told me about the club for almost an hour and insisted that I go. But it was already obvious for me to join the SCB. In this story everyone was a winner, because I finally had the opportunity to show my qualities at a high level. “
More than 1,300 kilometers from home, Tom Ducrocq recognizes himself among the Turchini and thrives in his new environment. If the difference in temperature and climate is felt, the mentality and state of mind of Corsica are not that different from the people of the North. “The values of SC Bastia and RC Lens are the same. They are two clubs which have a strong identity and passionate supporters. They are family clubs, where people are very close and trust each other.”
Small in size, the torchbearer had to do with his weapons to compensate for his lack of physique. His models? The cream of the crop: the duo Xavi and Iniesta. “To compensate for my lack of physical input, I changed my way of playing, working on anticipation and technique. That’s what makes me strong today “If the midfielder favors the vista, he is not the last to tackle his opponent. Tom Ducrocq is a complete player, as valuable offensive as he is defensive and very precise on set pieces.
“Can’t wait to see the stadium filled”
Used to the warm atmospheres of Bollaert, the young man regrets the absence of the Bastia public, for reasons that we know. For him, this vacuum weighs on the performance of the teams. “Certainly, the public has never scored a goal, but it pushes us to surpass ourselves. On a defensive withdrawal for example or a counter-attack. At the end of the game, when fatigue is felt, it is the public which carries you. It’s motivating and you manage to make the effort that will make the difference, even if you are out of breath. Against Boulogne, where there were 6,500 supporters, I was still impressed. can’t wait to see the stadium packed. “
While awaiting the return of the supporters, Tom Ducrocq continues to progress. Aware of the chance to evolve in a historic club with great ambitions, the young man believes in the potential of his team. “We have all the qualities to access Ligue 2. It’s up to us to do our best and above all, not to see ourselves too beautiful”. Well surrounded by experienced players, such as Michel Moretti or Gary Coulibaly, little Ch’ti will wet the turchinu jersey as usual until the end. And have a happy ending before returning to the Sang et Or and why not, follow in the footsteps of a certain Yannick Cahuzac.
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