It was a smiling Moussa Sissoko who entered, surrounded by Antoine Kombouaré and Franck Kita, this Friday at the start of the afternoon in an almost full press room. “I thank Moussa who made a lot of effort to come here“, immediately dropped the deputy general manager of the club. Arrived at Jonelière, this Friday morning after having passed his medical examination, the French international did not hide his desire to bounce back after a failed season in England.
Unsurprisingly, the mentality of the French international greatly pleased the technician of the Canaries. “VSaa matched (sic) immediately with Moussaevokes the Kanak. He is a great champion but also a great man and I know thathe will bring us a lot on the pitch and in the locker room.“In the center of the meadow, on the front line behind the scenes to bring his immense experience to players who, for the most part, are preparing to discover the European Cup. Interview.
“The fact that Nantes is in the European Cup weighed in the balance”
Why did you choose to come back to France, and to Nantes?
I spent ten years in England, for me it was a childhood dream and I realized it. There was no specific time to return to France, it was not planned but I always had in a corner in my head the idea of coming back. I had the opportunity with Nantes who offered me an interesting project. The discussions I had with the coach and the president seduced me. So that day has arrived. And then my family and my son live in France, that necessarily weighed in the balance.
Playing in the Championship, the English second division, was inconceivable for you?
I did not see myself playing in the Championship, I wanted to evolve at the highest level. I could have played for other clubs in the Premier League but I chose FC Nantes and I’m very happy about it.
Did you discuss the subject with your ex-teammate at Watford Imran Louza?
I actually talked about it a lot with him. I know thathe’s really attached to the club, it’s his home, and he gave me some tips, some places to go. Then, little by little, I will discover the city by myself.
Are you aware of the expectation that your arrival may cause?
There will be waiting and I am aware of it but no matter which player arrives, there is always some. After, I don’t put pressure on myself. Today I am 32 years old, I will try to bring my experience, I did not come to change the team which has a game structure with a certain way of playing, I will just try to bring my qualities at the service of the community.
Did Nantes’ qualification for the European Cup influence your choice?
Sure. During my career, I played a lot of European matches and I know that has a special flavor for any player. The fact that Nantes is there has weighed in the balance. I hope now that the European Cup will go well although it won’t be easy.
– Frank Fife
“I’m hungry for victories”
What state of mind are you in?
I hunger for victories. Last season was difficult at Watford with a relegation that was hard to accept but we have to digest it and move on. I’m looking forward and I’m going to use what happened, including for the better, to do better with FC Nantes.
Precisely, what does this club represent in your eyes?
It is, for me, a very great French club, historic, eight times champion with very great players who have been there. There is a mythical stadium with an incredible atmosphere. I can’t wait to discover all this and I hope that we will do great things together.
Have you already met your teammates since your arrival this morning?
I even held a speech in front of them just now. I know a lot of them, unfortunately not all of them yet, but I know that there are other circles. I told them there will be rotation and it will be necessary to be as complementary as possible to have a good season and build on last season’s momentum.
As a versatile midfielder, do you have a preference for your positioning?
Since I started, I have always said that my preferred position was on the axis. This is where I feel the best and where I find the most fulfillment. But if I am asked to play on one side, I will. The most important thing is and remains the collective. Nantes has a different way of playing compared to my previous clubs but I will adapt and I know that the mayonnaise will take.
Do you still have the French team in the back of your mind?
Obviously, for me, I still have all my chances. Admittedly, I have not been called up since the last Euro and I understand that because, at Watford, the results were not as good as expected, but I received the pre-calls. And nothing is played. I’m going to play my luck hard and the coach [Didier Deschamps, ndlr] will make their choices. But I’ve been thinking about the World Cup in Qatar for a long time.