Eliaquim Mangala has big ambitions for the Greens. ASSE’s latest recruit was presented to the press this Friday afternoon alongside Loïc Perrin. The French international defender has signed up for six months. He had been without a club since leaving Valencia (Spain) this summer.
While waiting to see him at work in the field, where he is expected like the new boss of defense, his speech was imbued with calm and poise. He is convinced that he did the good choice by signing with the Greens : “Saint-Étienne is where I need to be today. There really is something to do. There is a club that deserves better than that. I am very happy to be here. In his career at Porto, City or Valencia he played the leading roles and European cups and therefore Ligue 2 he does not want to hear about it : “I did not come for that. The goal is very clear and I repeat it in the locker room. We will save ourselves. I can bring my experience and my stone to the building“.
Meeting against Montpellier and at the Stade de France
The new defender will not appear in the group on Sunday for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Bergerac. Pascal Dupraz would have liked to take him but Eliaquim Mangala considered that it was too early. However, according to his coach, his level is already very promising: “After a week I start rubbing my hands. I hope he’s out of shape because out of shape he’s already pretty good“. We should see him start in the green jersey on February 5 against Montpellier. Another date to check according to the defender is that of May 8 when he “makes an appointment for the final of the Coupe de France“. He also promises to stay at the end of the season.