You arrived in Brest in 2017 anonymously. Today, you are the vice-captain of a Stade Brestois in the Champions League. Do you realize how far you have come?
I believe I had a normal course during which I was patient and hardworking, and it is paying off today but it is not an end in itself. I arrived quite young at 19, I had made my way in Corsica (at SC Bastia) but it’s true that here, everything was new for me. I was in the unknown, I had to find my place again. Little by little, I climbed the ladder, like the club. We experienced Ligue 2, Ligue 1, the wonderful last season and now the Champions League. Whether it was me or the club, we started to gain confidence.
At Brest, you are the first European scorer in the club’s history. Do you realize that this will haunt you for life?
Yes, I will forever be the first goalscorer in the club’s history. I hope there will be plenty of other scorers, that would mean that Brest will have had quite a few campaigns. But this title will never be taken away from me and I am proud and honored of it.
Scoring is something quite rare after all (four goals in 134 matches). How do you explain this lack of statistics?
It’s my profile that wants that. The coach wants me to be the guarantor of the balance of the team. But there is also this hunger in me which wants me to improve this aspect, whether it is an assist or a goal. It’s more rewarding, it’s where we are seen the most.
Alongside Camara or Lees-Melou, you can be considered the “shadow worker” of the team. A status that suits you?
I know I complement my teammates well. I have always been a player who bridges the gap between defense and attack. You may think that I am in the shadows, but when you watch the matches, you see that I am as important as my teammates through my defensive, offensive actions or my reading of the game. In my opinion, I am not a player in the shadow. Afterwards, of course when we don’t score or pass, we are less in the spotlight.
I always hope to progress, to reach new levels, to gain momentum in terms of status, as an experienced player.
As such, Éric Roy makes you play as a relay midfielder as well as a sentry. How do you approach these two positions?
When I start in 6, my main role is to secure this defense, the balance of the team, not to project myself like crazy, when I know that behind, there would be a free zone. When I’m in 8, I know that I can project myself a little more, because there is someone behind me, who I can create more offensively. I approach both positions differently but with the same desire.
However, do you consider yourself an underrated player?
I would rather be underrated than overrated (smile). There are quite a few people who tell me that, it has even become a compliment. That means I’m not where I should be. So if you think that I should be a little higher in the hierarchy, that’s nice and it helps to work too. I feel it but it doesn’t bother me.
And precisely, what is your position compared to other Ligue 1 midfielders?
It’s hard to say that I’m in the top, it’s not up to me to say that.
I know that every weekend I perform to be the best. It’s my performance that says where I stand. I think that last year we had a very good environment. Individually and collectively, we had a very good season. We finished third, which is far from trivial. We need to confirm and we’ll see how long I’ll be there.
Do you want to prove that you are also a good player?
At the beginning, I was mainly seen as a needy player. Today, I refuse to be said that I am a simple scavenger. As for me, I knew I had other palettes under my belt. When I started, I showed it less so I didn’t dare too much, I didn’t have 100% confidence in myself. And, as the matches played, the confidence of the staff, the club, and the confidence that I also knew how to acquire, I showed this technical palette, which also allows me to have other options in my game. I always hope to progress, reach new levels, gain momentum in terms of status, as an experienced player.
