Young CF Montreal defender Zachary Brault-Guillard understands that nothing is ever a foregone conclusion among professionals.
After playing 30 games in 2021, including 23 as a starter, coach Wilfried Nancy has often ignored him since the start of this season. He has been limited to 94 minutes in five games so far.
The main interested party, who on Tuesday accepted a contract extension until the end of 2023 with two years of option, is taking his troubles patiently, aware that he must regain his stripes.
“I played pretty well last year, but that’s a thing of the past,” acknowledged Brault-Guillard by videoconference on Tuesday. In football, you always have to question yourself, always work hard and keep working to make your place. »
“It’s up to me to do well and regain my place, there is competition, that’s how it is. Afterwards, the coach has his expectations. I can’t do anything more than prove in training and matches that I deserve my place. »
Despite his low use, the 23-year-old nevertheless found a way to score a goal on March 12 against New York City FC.
Asked if he got an explanation from Nancy to understand his demotion, he said they spoke recently during a game against Philadelphia.
“He’s known me for a long time and he has a lot of expectations for me. He is much more demanding with me, he wants me to progress. He feels that I have great potential, that I may not be exploiting it well enough at times. It’s up to me to do well and show my level to achieve his goals. »
A dream to come true
Brault-Guillard played in all four of the team’s CONCACAF Champions League games. The Montrealer has also played six games with the Canadian national team, which recently confirmed its place for the World Cup in Qatar, in November and December.
“Everyone dreams of being among the group in Qatar,” he admitted. We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Since [le sélectionneur] John Herdman took over, he proved to everyone that little by little, we deserve to be where we are. »
“We are proud of what we have already accomplished. But this is only one step towards the goal that we have had for many years. »
Brault-Guillard arrived with the Impact in early 2019 following a season-long loan from Olympique Lyonnais, and the Montreal outfit secured their permanent transfer from the French club the following year.
He signed his first professional contract with Olympique, in the French first division, in 2017.
Brault-Guillard also took part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019 and played four games with the under-23 team in March 2021. He joined the Canadian program in 2016, at the age of 17 .