The two former champions of France played one year in the same team, in Saint-Etienne, during the 2018-2019 season, and played two matches together in the France team, while they also shared a lot of time in Blue, without necessarily being aligned at the same time, like during the 2014 World Cup, in Brazil.
Mathieu Debuchyformer Lille and defender of Arsenal, in England, therefore knows well Remy Cabella and granted us an interview, in 100% Paillade, this Friday, before the comeback of the 32-year-old Corsican midfielder, at La Mosson, for Montpellier-Reims, in Ligue 1.
INTERVIEW – MATHIEU DEBUCHY
Rémy Cabella often repeats that he has a competitive mentality: do you agree?
I confirm 100%! I played with Rémy in Saint-Etienne, and it was a treat to be able to play with him. Especially in training, it was an outstanding competitor. He always wanted to win. And that is its strength.
Sore loser ?
Sometimes, but he always keeps smiling. This is what characterizes it: its freshness, its joie de vivre. It feels good in a locker room. Afterwards, it may be to show his teeth too (laughs). Seriously, it’s really someone who has a smile, in the morning when he arrives, in the evening when he leaves, and in the field. For a locker room and for Montpellier, it will be good.
Does his return to Montpellier surprise you?
A little yes. I didn’t think he would come back to France now. When I saw that there were discussions, I said to myself that he could perhaps return to Saint-Etienne, because he left a good image. I saw that he was also returning to the stadium. In the end, I saw that he had resigned to Montpellier. I think it’s a choice that comes from the heart. He also left a very good image in Montpellier, the club will benefit from it. It’s good. I know that when I played with him, he often went back and forth near Montpellier, so I know that he remained attached to the region, to the club, to the supporters.
I only had good times with Remy. You can’t get angry with him. Only good times, fun. Lots of laughs in training. I really have very good memories of Rémy.
Did you regret his departure, by the way?
Clearly, Rémy’s departure had hurt us. It’s a career choice, you have to respect it. It is a very important player in a team, who makes a difference, who can make his team win. So it is certain that at the time, it hurts us to lose Rémy.
You also played with Mamadou Sakho, didn’t you?
Exact ! I evolved with Mamad in selection: a great guy too, a competitor, a great defender, who never gives up. He is someone important in a locker room, by his charisma and by his career. I don’t follow all of Montpellier’s matches. But I think he has to do good for the team, on the pitch and in the dressing room. They are really important players.
Do you have the feeling that Montpellier is building something strong in Ligue 1 today?
Yes. Afterwards, Montpellier has always been a solid team. Recruitment is going pretty well. There is always a balance. I believe that Montpellier is on the right track and it is a club that will count in the coming seasons. Considering the squad, I think it will go well.
You have another link with the Paillade, less pleasant: his name is Karim Aït Fana. It was he who scored the only goal against your Lille team, at the last minute, on the penultimate day, before the Hérault title in 2012. Did this goal haunt you?
Haunted, no. But I remember that evening, which was undoubtedly memorable for Montpellier. I spoke about it again with Olivier Giroud in selection. It was an incredible evening for Montpellier, and at that time, we knew they were going to go all the way.
How do you view this season?
I think there is a resemblance to our team, the year before, where we won the title of champion of France. When you look at the team, the players there, it was a complete team with really strong individuals, who could make the difference. A solid defense, a complete midfielder. This is what we had the year before with Losc. This resemblance is striking. We did not expect Montpellier champion of France, as we did not expect Lille champion of France. It’s quite similar, and they had a fairly complete season, all the same!