In Clairefontaine
Tell us about your return to Clairefontaine, with a new status due to your selection in the France A team (against Scotland in October). This is the first call-up for this new year, it’s been a while now. I’m very happy to be back and to see my teammates again. It’s true that my status has changed. I also had the chance to rub shoulders with the France A team, so obviously I am more expected. I have to bring the experience acquired in selection or in club. There are younger people in the group, but I had the chance to play the Euro Espoirs with this category. The oldest and I must lead the group to the top and try to help the youngest.
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Do you think about the Euro in the back of your mind? Of course. When you taste the France A team, you want to go back. It is the objective. Me, if you ask me the question, I want to do both competitions, Euro and Olympic Games. But right now I’m with the Espoirs so I’m focused on the Games.
Have you spoken with Leipzig about your participation in the Games? I think it’s still too early, we haven’t had the chance to discuss it. In the championship, we still have things to achieve, our objective has not been achieved. Afterwards, I know that in the past they have already released players so that they could participate in the Olympics, so the discussion will be there, we will see. But if it’s up to me, of course I hope they release me. I don’t see why they would stop me from going there. I’m not worried, I’m rather optimistic. The best thing is that each club manager can work in collaboration with the French team. We cannot decide for them. They too have objectives and we can only respect their decision.
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Have you discussed the subject of clubs with Thierry Henry? No, not yet. But maybe before the rally ends.
What did the coach emphasize at the start of the meeting? It’s only the second day so we haven’t gone into details yet. It will come gradually. Already, we must prepare well for the two upcoming friendly matches (against Ivory Coast on Friday and the United States on Monday). This will put us in the swing of things and in condition to prepare for the Olympics. It’s soon but it’s still very far away. There is no certainty about which players will be there. We just have to give the best of ourselves and try to apply for this summer.
Participating in the Games means missing part of the summer preparation with your club. Has it crossed your mind not to do the Games for this reason? No, I definitely want to do the Olympics. It’s an honor to represent your country, especially in a big competition. With the young people, I had the chance to participate in the Euro Espoirs but I think that the Olympics are a special competition, with a special feeling. It doesn’t happen every year, and if I don’t participate, I won’t be old enough. I can understand players who may change clubs and prefer to be present during preparation. It can be a difficult situation for them to deal with, I understand that.
Are you close to the six of the 2001 generation who were recalled? Of course, we participated in the Euro together. Obviously, it united us. I’ve been around them for a long time now, we’ve shared selections together. I was happy to see them again and I know that they will bring us a lot.
Are you eager to know who the three players over the age of 23 are who will join you? We are all asking ourselves the question: “Who will come and help us in this conquest?” Lots of names are circulating but we have no certainty. We’ll see when the time comes, it’s true that it arouses my curiosity. And if they are defenders who can come and help us, with great pleasure as long as they have the right mentality. Competition is part of sport and football, both in selection and in club. As long as it helps the group, that’s the most important thing.
A personal preference on profiles? No, it’s up to the coach to decide. In any case, these will be quality reinforcements.
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You played in the Champions League this season with Leipzig. What did that bring you? I know a little more about the demands of the highest level, the ingredients to be able to successfully assimilate this kind of matches with a lot of pressure. We also face quality teams and I think I will be able to put my experience at the service of the collective. When you manage to give the best of yourself in this type of competition, you can only gain confidence. It allows you to be more calm as you approach big matches. I will not hesitate to help my partners in this type of situation.
What do you think of the season for Olympique Lyonnais, your former club? The start of the season was a bit complicated. Since the transfer window, they have been able to strengthen themselves, things are going a little better for them, they have had a lot of victories and are moving back to the top of the rankings. They are very far from relegation. I’m very happy for them and I hope they continue to gain places in the rankings.
Comments collected at a press conference
