Ten years after the title, a French champion is back at MHCS! Quite a symbol, but not a surprise! Last month, in fact, Rémy Cabella told us that he had never forgotten La Paillade, and had even always considered ending his career there. The former attacking midfielder and forward Montpellier Herault had even discussed it with Younès Belhanda, Benjamin Stambouli and Jonas Martin (at the end of the contract in Rennes), a few years ago.
He is therefore the first. At 32, when his contract with Krasnodar was terminated by mutual agreement following the war waged by Russia in Ukraine, FIFA authorized foreign players in the Ukrainian league to finish the season elsewhere, and it is therefore at La Paillade that Rémy Cabella has chosen to settle down.
I’former French international (four selections under Didier Deschamps in 2014) could however have claimed a juicier contract, because if he had excluded offers from the Gulf, the Corsican player had also been approached by Olympiakos, in Greece, by at least two Serie A formations, but also by Lille and FC Nantes, in France.
The first 2012 French champion to return home
Only, if the boy who has twenty European Cup matches is a competitor, he is also an emotional. Attached to AS Saint-Etienne, in particular, where he spent two seasons after playing for Olympique de Marseille, the native of Ajaccio had also said that he was ready to give a hand to the Greens, when needed, in the fight for maintenance. An outstretched hand that was not taken by the leaders of Sainthood.
At the same time, without talking too much or rushing, the Hérault staff got busy. While she had Rémy Cabella on hand, since he was treating a calf injury in Montpellier, the Hérault sports management first offered the person concerned to training with Olivier Dall’Oglio’s groupwhich the coach had of course validated.
In 100% Paillade, recently, our consultant Benjamin Psaume had also indicated that this data could tip the scales in the right direction. Then Laurent Nicollin, supported by Bruno Carotti and Michel Mézy then got to the heart of the matter. And Rémy Cabella’s heart did not take long to capsizeeven if he had first hinted that he would wait until the summer before deciding.
The heart has spoken
The club’s desire to build a competitive team, his family and loved ones nearby, the new stadium on the horizon, a region to which he is very attached, but above all a club and a stadium that were the scene of his first emotionswere strong arguments to convince Cabella to re-sign where he revealed himself.
A month after his birthday and for the tenth anniversary of the championship title he won with the MHSC, Rémy Cabella will therefore relaunch a counter stopped at 240 games in Ligue 1, for 50 goals and 34 assists. It is not excluded, moreover, that the former Olympian is traveling to Marseille, at least in the group, this Sunday, when he could play his first at home against Reims, on April 17.
A nice birthday present for Montpellier
Finally, this first big blow, which follows several signings and extensions, could make Téji Savanier want to extend to Montpellier. The captain, whose current contract ends in June 2023, has so far not wanted to rush. But if the desire is strong, at home, to continue the adventure with his club, the playmaker would however like to be sure to evolve in a solid and ambitious teamnext season, when he would undoubtedly make a sporting and financial sacrifice.
The arrival of his eldest, coupled with recent signings and extensions, could therefore reassure him. However, if Téji Savanier were to finally give up an extension, and if he had to fly to a new destination in the coming months, the signing of Rémy Cabella would undoubtedly alleviate the disappointment among some of the supporters.