Officially presented to the media this Friday at noon, the new winger appeared motivated to tackle a new challenge. The international player wants to bring his technical qualities to Jean-Louis Gasset’s team.
Why did you choose AS Saint-Etienne while you were being sought after by other clubs?
Because of the discussions I had with the coach and because I wanted to come back to a team that I know. ASSE is a historic club in France, with a stadium full of passion and a wonderful atmosphere. I really wanted to experience all that again.
What did Jean-Louis Gasset have to say on the matter of your return to ASSE?
He told me that he had confidence in my abilities, that he knew how to use me and how to give me back my drive. His words convinced me. He called me several times. I felt his affection for me, a true desire to work with me. That was ultimately what made up my mind.
How do you feel about the first part of your experience in Germany?
There were a lot of changes in the club. I was a new player on a new team, in a new world. It was difficult. Compared to other players, I didn’t necessarily have the time to adapt to all that. I rarely had the opportunity to play two matches in a row. Little by little, you loose your way, your confidence. I wanted to change that and get back to what I knew.
How do you treat the difficulties that the team is experiencing right now?
I experienced a similar arrival after I signed with Wolfsburg. You have to just change your mentality. If we had beaten Metz, we would have been back in the first half of the League. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. Despite everything, the team has not been brought to its knees. Metz, was an error. The match went sideways in the first 15 minutes. But we’re the Verts and we can’t finish the season as losers. Everyone will have to live up to their responsibilities. Everyone will have to give 100%, even 200%. Once we move past this difficult period, we’ll become the team that we were during the first part of the season.
What do you think you can bring to ASSE?
My desire to win, my enthusiasm, my abilities on the field. I’m older and I can also play a role on a team that is relatively young. My qualities? Provoking and creating openings for my teammates. Serving the team as best I can. Playing the best as possible, finding once again the feelings I had in Rennes.
Physically, are you able to begin playing in your new colours?
I haven’t missed any training sessions. But a training session isn’t the same thing as a match. The coach listens when I tell him what I need in order to get myself to my peak level of physical performance. I had a short interruption in my training between the time I took to decide to sign with ASSE and officially signing with the team, but it’s nothing to worry over.
In Wolfsburg, you rubbed shoulders with Josuha Guilavogui...
He gave me a lot of advice. He told me he thought very highly of ASSE. He really likes the club and he keeps tracks of its progress. He told me that coming to ASSE would please him. I also know players who used to play for Rennes, Cheikh (M’Bengue), Vincent (Pajot), in particular. Bryan (Dabo), also, who I played with in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Joining a team with people I know already is easier.
