Still free from any contract after his end of adventure at VAFC, Allan Linguet nonetheless remains determined. The 25-year-old right-back, a sure bet in his position during his last years at Hainaut, gives us his view on the situation of a club to which he says he owes everything and takes stock of his situation by re-establishing some truths. Interview.
Allan, what has become of you since six months and your departure from the VAFC?
“I’m becoming a bit like everyone else. Obviously, I hope to find a project soon enough, that's all I want. To be able to find an opportunity, you have to be ready. I train every day: three times a week with a team not far from home, and also on my own with a fitness trainer. I do everything in my power to be ready on the big day.
Did you have an extension offer from the VAFC and did you consider continuing at VA?
To be honest, I did not receive an extension offer, my former agents had not been approached by the club. Would I have accepted or declined it? I can't know, it's only when we have the offer in front of us that we can make a decision. I still think I spent quite a bit of time in Valenciennes. I had some very good moments, others a little more complicated, but I only remember the positives from my time. It's a club where I signed as a professional and which gave me everything.
With a little more perspective, what is your view on this contrasting end to the VAFC with this semi-final of the Coupe de France and the relegation to the National? Are there any regrets?
Completely ! As I said, I would have preferred to go out in the first round of the Coupe de France – even if we had a great adventure – and maintain the club. If the club had continued, I might still be at Valenciennes, who knows? We can't know and look back on the past, but it sure leaves a bitter taste. I spent seven years at VAFC, including five years as professionals, and leaving the club that gave you everything on such a note… It's a bitter feeling. I was disgusted, and I think that was the case for everyone who holds Valenciennes in their heart. I would have preferred to leave on a good note and have a happier goodbye.
Do you continue to follow VA and what is your view on the current situation? We knew you were quite close to Ahmed Kantari…
I still watch a lot of their matches, I follow them, I have friends who are still there. Frankly, they have an interesting project, but that doesn't guarantee a direct rise. We know that football is complicated and that the National is tough. There are a lot of teams who have nothing to do at this level, including Valenciennes. An immediate rise is what everyone is hoping for and I want it for the club, but it’s not something that will happen by snapping your fingers. There are a lot of teams who want to move up, and there are always surprises.
Ahmed Kantari? I think we have to put everyone in the same bag, whether it's the players or the coach, everyone has their share of responsibilities.
We know that football is ruthless and this has not favored the image of Ahmed Kantari, especially with the descent into the National. I think the buildup meant they didn't give him more time, although many would say he had enough. But a project is built and maintained. When you arrive in National, you discover a different division and clubs, you have different means. It started very well, I was very happy, then there was one pass where everyone was a little less well. I think we have to put everyone in the same bag, whether it's the players or the coach, everyone has their share of responsibilities.
When everything doesn't go very well, we hit the coach before the players. It's a bit of a shame, but I hope he bounces back. He is someone who has a certain mentality, who is not going to stop there. I think he's disgusted too. He would have liked to bring the club back up, he carries Valenciennes in his heart. Maybe not everyone is aware of it, but I know that Ahmed will only wish the best for the club.
If we come back to your personal situation, have you had any touches since leaving the VAFC and at what levels?
I had hits, and I had a lot of them (smile). I had it at the end of my contract in Valenciennes (in June), but also before because I could negotiate from January. I had some in Ligue 2, in clubs with good projects. Also abroad, whether in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany… What happened afterwards? I don't know because I wasn't the one in direct contact with the clubs. I was aware of quite a bit of interest from several clubs. Today, I am without a club but that is not an end in itself. If it didn't happen, it was because it was supposed to happen like this. I didn't have my file in my hands, I couldn't do much about it.
Is it also a desire to take time before finding the right project?
All I want is to play football again as soon as possible. It's starting to be quite a while now. I miss it. In August, I already missed football so imagine in December… (smile). This is not at all something I wanted. Afterwards, it was certain that I was not going to jump on the first offer that came along. But I wasn't at all in the mindset of looking for the perfect thing. All I wanted was to find a good project in a club that showed me confidence. The most important thing for a player is to play. This is something that I suffered because I did not have my file in my hands. But that's in the past, I'm not going to revisit it. The most important thing is that I find a project that I like and play.
Recently, you had a trial at NAC Breda which was unsuccessful. The Dutch press mentioned a passage that was not sufficiently impressive, which you denied. What happened?
NAC Breda had shown interest this summer, but I was not aware of it. So good projects can happen at any time. It's a top club, with good infrastructure, a good project, which has just started but which is well placed for a promotion (currently 7th in the Eredivisie). They called one of my current reps, asked me to spend three days training and do a match with them. It went well, I was comfortable, in a good group.
I understand that people say I didn't impress enough because I didn't make the cut, except there are plenty of things to take into account. The test was mid-November. At this time, most of the workforce is built, almost all budgets are met. Transplanting a player in the middle of November is a bit tricky. You have to look at the financial aspect and the construction of the squad. That’s a bit of what made me still at home today. There are still contacts with the club, there is a winter transfer window which will perhaps shake things up. The discussions are not over.
Today and after six months without a club, what club standard do you aspire to? Have you lowered your requirements?
When you stay six months without a club, the player's rating drops, the clubs are more reluctant and ask questions. Is he ready? Is he in good physical condition? Does he still have the level? I have been asked a lot of questions, and I understand that there may be questions. This may come as a surprise, and it surprised me myself. Now, I'm not necessarily going to lower my requirements. I am an ambitious person, demanding of himself. Today, I know that I am ready for the goals that I set for myself. The clubs do not necessarily have this guarantee, which means that I am tested on my player profile and my mentality. I don't close any doors, and that's been the case since this summer.
Can we imagine you without a club after the winter transfer window? Do you have a deadline?
The later would be the winter transfer window. Today, it’s already very late for me (smile). It's starting to take a long time, especially in my head because I've always been in a club. But I would have learned. These six months without a club made me grow and become aware of certain things. It will serve as a lesson to me for the rest of my career. I have always been someone who is determined and demanding, it's not a little less than good thing that will demoralize me and encourage me to give up everything. January maximum will be the deadline to find a project. I can't see myself going a full year without playing football. »
All comments collected by Enzo PAILOT
Photo credits: Romain Biard/Icon Sport
