Yunis Abdelhamid should be the first recruit of Saint-Etienne in this summer transfer window. In order to know more about the player, we went to interview Arnaud Valadon, RMC correspondent on the Reims club. Interview.
His arrival ? he is coming to the end of his contract with Dijon after a failed season. Michel Der Zakarian leaves the club and Yunis Abdelhamid arrives to replace the iconic Anthony Weber. He was looking for a left-handed central defender to line up with Julian Janvier. The goal was to bring in experienced players. It is in this context that he arrived at the Stade de Reims in a starting position.
“Abdelhamid systematically improves his partners in central hinge”
“What is most surprising is his adaptation to Ligue 1, because he had no references before (Dijon, Arles Avignon). We did not think that he would adapt so quickly and that he would eventually be considered one of the best central defenders in the championship. What is also very strong with him is that he is extremely consistent. He then had a very efficient hinge with Axel Disasi (currently at Chelsea). What made him unshakeable, beyond the locker room leader that he is, is the way in which he systematically improved his partners in central hinge. This was the case with Disasi then with Engels, who was a seasoned defender, but on the restart at Reims. You had the impression that you could put anyone next to him and that he became good because Yunis Abdelhamid made him good!’
“The good thing is that he is never injured, almost never suspended. He has an incredible lifestyle! He is a leader and he has a good recovery with his left foot. He goes quite quickly anyway and he does not necessarily decline despite his advancing age. I think he’s an interesting recruit for AS Saint-Etienne. This season, he hasn’t declined that much in a freewheeling season at the end of the season. »
Why does he let him go? Quite simply because Reims has recruited in this sector (Agbadou and Okumu) and they want to play them to highlight them and do trading. He has a very big salary which was close to 100K per month. I think Saint-Etienne is pretty much like that too! Reims decided to part with him and it is a strategic decision, the future will tell us if it was a mistake or not, because he was very listened to in the locker room. »
For a promoted player, having an experienced, reliable and good defender I think is very important for a promoted player. He is a leader in a locker room, to free everyone. Olivier Dall’Oglio will be able to lean on him! He’s a good recruit and I think they met in Dijon. If Abdelhamid signs for Saint-Etienne, it’s because he has good memories with Dall’Oglio!
