Football: Benjamin Kololli talks about his return to FC Sion

Same poster, same scene, different context. On May 18, 2014, Benjamin Kololli made his last appearance in the FC Sion jersey during a match against Grasshopper at Tourbillon. The Chablaisien was then a very young player of 22 years old, a novice among the professionals and lugged from one position to another – right back that day. 11 years have passed and he is preparing to put on the Sedun tunic again, this Saturday during the reception of… GC (6 p.m.). Funny coincidence.

Kololli has aged (he is almost 33 years old), has gained some experience (169 Super League matches under his belt) and has cemented himself at the forefront. The Valais environment no longer has much to do with what he had known. Training no longer takes place at Porte d’Octodure, but at Riddes, while the club revels in an unusual stability, on the sidelines (Didier Tholot has been in office for a year and a half) as well as within the effective. “FC Sion is much healthier,” says its recruit, reached by telephone. I see a club that wants to grow. Particularly with the new stadium and training center project, supported by the president.”

Benjamin Kololli’s return to the club of his debut was not difficult to complete. Because the Kosovar international (24 caps) was receptive, firstly: “Here, they have been doing a good job since last year. From the feedback I had and what I observed for myself, the arguments were interesting.” The family aspect also counted for the native of Aigle: “I have always maintained a strong attachment to the region. My parents live in Bex, my brother moved to Vouvry, all my friends are in Chablais… Coming back to Sion is coming home.”

Well known to the sports director Barthélémy Constantin and the Football director Pablo Iglesias (with Lausanne-Sport), who led the negotiations, Benjamin Kololli also wanted a change of scenery, after being placed in the cellar on the Basel side . “I clearly understood that the club’s policy was not to play me,” he said. With the recruitment taking place this summer, I knew that my situation was going to be complicated. Even more so after the arrival of Xherdan Shaqiri. And these changes were validated by the results. I no longer had my place there, there was no point in staying. I wanted to leave, that was clear and clear.”

With Fabio Celestini, who had already trained him at LS and had pushed for his arrival on the banks of the Rhine a year ago, relations seem to have weakened, despite what the versatile winger coldly asserts: “It’s was a coach-player relationship, that’s all. It hasn’t changed. We had a discussion at the start of the season and there was no more after that. There was nothing more to talk about again.”

His daily motivation could be felt. Not his investment, he assures. “As a professional, you have to accept decisions. I continued to give everything for the team. Fabio asked me not to lower the quality of the training. It’s not because I wasn’t playing anymore that I had to become a drag.”

The Basel adventure ended short: 21 matches in 12 months, for a meager record of 3 goals and 1 assist. There remains the satisfaction of having contributed to the recovery of the Rotblau, penultimate in the championship at the time of his signing and today 2nd. “I am proud to have helped the club to survive. Less about the way the story ends, but that’s football,” he evacuates.

In Sion, Benjamin Kololli finds a cocoon conducive to his development. It starts with the pleasure of pushing back the lawns in competition, starting this Saturday.