The arrival of a new head coach may mean for some players having to resume their place acquired under the previous coach. That appears to be the case with young CF Montreal veterans Mathieu Choinière and Zachary Brault-Guillard, who need to earn their playing time under Hernan Losada.
Of the two players, however, it is defender Brault-Guillard who seems to care more. To the point where we feel a certain dissatisfaction, almost a frustration.
“For now, he is trying to get to know his players as well as possible. We discuss, he knows my qualities and he wants me to progress on my physical and technical qualities, “said the Haitian-born Quebecer on Tuesday by videoconference from Florida, where the team is holding the second phase of its training camp. .
His playing time was still down last year, being used in only 18 games, compared to 30 the previous season. His minutes played have fallen from over 2,000 in 2021 to just over 600 last season. Statistics that are not unrelated to the arrival of Alistair Johnston in the Montreal eleven.
“There are things that didn’t happen,” he said. The club re-signed me: they think my market value is good. […] My agents spoke with management about some things. Now it’s up to me to prove my worth and that I can play in this position. To prove that I can do great things this year, even more great than last year with more playing time. But there are things that I cannot control as a player. »
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Samuel Piette and Zachary Brault-Guillard
Brault-Guillard added in the same breath that he was not considering leaving during the summer transfer window.
“But I’m ambitious and I want to play. Every player wants their playing time. When you can’t get it at your club, anyone would try to find it elsewhere. For now, I’m with CF Montreal and it’s going very well. It’s not for nothing that they offered me a new contract last year. Now we are only at the start of the season. There is a new coach with new ideas. Everything is different. It’s up to us to prove to him that each player deserves his place. »
He admits, however, that if he had known before signing his contract extension that the team would be bringing in Johnston last year and Aaron Herrera for the next campaign, his decision might have been different.
“You can never know the future. If I had known, it is clear that it would have changed my decision a little. But it’s not me who controls that, it’s Olivier Renard who makes these decisions. Now, signed it’s signed and I have to deal with it. »
Logical sequence
In the case of Choinière, who plays in midfield, the transition under Losada seems to be going more smoothly.
“I had the chance to speak to him. I think this year I will play a bit in the same profile, he said. My versatility will ensure that I will play everywhere. He saw the games and he intends to use me in several positions, whether in the middle or on the sides. He’s the “boss” and he decides where he sees me helping the team. »
Could it be as a distributor in the axis?
“It is certain that at the base, I am a midfielder. But the coach is trying to get me to play several positions and see where I can help the team better. It is certain that each time I find myself in midfield, I feel good and I experience pleasure. »
One thing is certain, he does not see his versatility as a double-edged sword.
“Of course, sometimes I tell myself that I would prefer to play in a position to more easily take my bearings, to be able to adapt more easily with the players. But I think I manage to adapt quite well to any position. It works in my favor. I don’t see it as a flaw, but as something that gives me value and allows me to play more. »