“How did you experience your first days in Marseille?
It was a bit special because I arrived at the very end of the transfer window (on loan from Everton). There was this trip to Toulouse, I was straight into it. Last week, it was a bit slower because there was no match, we had a few days off, we start again today (Monday), I can’t wait to get back to training and matches.
Was the presence of Roberto De Zerbi on the bench an argument to convince you to join OM?
100%. As soon as I spoke with him, I was immediately convinced. I played against him several times in England, I knew him a little, and then I had several former Brighton teammates who called me when they read the first rumours of contact between the club and me. They told me: “Go for it, you’re going to have a great time, the coach is a monster, tactically he’s incredible”. For me, the question was no longer whether I could come here but when. Coming back to France was not necessarily a priority, but when Marseille calls you, this coach calls you, it’s like an obvious choice.
How do you see the competition with Elye Wahi?
The coach was clear about it, Elye is a young striker with a lot of talent, signed as number one, he knows how to score goals. I am here to compete with him, help him, make him progress if possible. In any case, to have a good season, the positions need to be doubled, players who push themselves in training.
For your debut at the Vélodrome on Saturday, you will be playing against your former club, Nice…
It’s my training club, it’s special for me, of course. But I always give 100% in training and in matches. When I wear a jersey, I have a duty to fight for the club, I’ve done it everywhere I’ve been. When I’m on the pitch, I always want to win, whether it’s in football or elsewhere, even against old acquaintances. There may be my children or my wife in front of me, I won’t give anything away.
What makes you fit for OM?
It will go well if the team wins and I score goals. I give my all on the pitch, it’s my way of playing, I’m like that in everyday life. Marseille is a city with a lot of fervour, a lot of expectation, the supporters are hot-blooded, it can stick between us.
