The Monegasque midfielder is awarded exclusively for Monaco Tribune, in collaboration with Radio Monaco and Actu Foot. His start to the season, his ambitions, his career, for half an hour, Youssouf Fofana (22 years old) gave himself open heart.

“Come on, see you guys. Finally no, I hope not to see you again… I’m kidding, that was really cool! ” Once the small improvised photo shoot on the roof of the AS Monaco Performance Center, the Mediterranean on one side, La Turbie on the other, Youssouf Fofana couldn’t help but tease us. Chambreur, the Monegasque midfielder is in everyday life, but also and especially in the locker room. A good mood that he transmitted to us throughout the interview he gave us this Monday, the day after AS Monaco’s convincing victory against Montpellier (3-1).

Its start of the season

It’s been a long time since we had such a large group

Youssouf, with this victory in Eindhoven (1-2), then this success against Montpellier (3-1), we can say that it is there, the Monaco steamroller of last season is launched?

That’s exactly it, although the start of the season hasn’t been that bad. It was played on details, especially in front of goal. When we manage to be decisive, it frees us and can kill matches. Little by little, we regain our confidence. The group is young and the sequence of matches at the start of the season was not easy. It was a first for many to play matches every three days. Monaco is the Ligue 1 team that has played more since the start of the season.

On a personal level, this season is more complicated in terms of playing time. How are you coping with this new situation?

I’m not blaming the coach, I’m the first to blame myself. I didn’t do the right thing at times. It’s been a long time since we had such a large group. We saw it yesterday (Sunday against Montpellier), with a bench made up of holders. It is a pleasure for the public to see a team with so many good players.

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Is the atmosphere good between you despite this competition?

Of course. I repeated it last season that AS Monaco should not be associated with the duo Tchouaméni-Fofana in the middle. Behind, Matazo is there. I was not wrong. He has good games and I’m happy for him. He deserves it, he’s a hard worker.

Offensively, it’s been a while since you scored. Too long ?

Yes, anyway (smile). I miss not scoring, but that’s not necessarily my main role. In front, we have two cyborgs (Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben Yedder) doing the job and a great hope (Myron Boadu) who has a good chance of following the same path. For now, I am content with this collective success by doing the job at my post.

His beginnings in football

Football remains a pleasure above all

Which player inspired you more when you were young?

He was not a player at my post. It was Didier Drogba. I have Ivorian origins and at the time, he was the national hero for everything he achieved in his career. I was inspired by a few players on the right to the left, but I did not have a typical model.

When was football a goal for you?

I started at the age of five, until I was 13, 14, when I joined INF Clairefontaine. It was then that I understood that it was a job and not a hobby (laughs). You had to train every day when I was used to two, three workouts a week. I understood the high level requirement a little late, around 16, 17 years old. I came back to the Paris region to work properly and make it my job. But football remains a pleasure above all.

You have not known a training center, but followed an amateur course, with an experience that was not conclusive at the INF Clairefontaine. Are these experiences that forged the man in front of us today?

Unlike others, I experienced failures quite early on. It gave me a shell, a certain character. I know how to have fun, but I am also very demanding. When I go out of the field, you can sometimes see it in my head.

His role within the club

I laugh when I have to, but I can also give rants

You signed your first professional contract not so long ago, but it looks like you are already part of the old …

This is what I am often told (smile). I signed late in a professional club but signed a professional contract early. I had a guideline and I haven’t lost it. I kept my feet on the ground. This contract was not an end in itself but the beginning of a dream. A year and a half later, I found myself at AS Monaco. A dream, a real one. It’s going to pass quickly, so I’m making the most of it.

What is your role in the locker room. The end-to-train one suits you?

Yes, but only when you have to (smile). I can also give rants, in French in English and even in Spanish, everyone understands me. I’m a demanding player, when it’s good I try to let my teammates know, but when it’s not going I like to be heard. If you see me laughing, it’s okay.

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Today you are one of the elders among the young. Eliot Matazo had instructed us that you had taken him under his wing. Is it important for you to give advice to the youngest?

An old ? It feels weird for me to say that (laughs). I noticed when I got here that I was in the middle of the ages, when I was only 21 years old. Eliot is a young person who listens, who works and who makes you want to help him. With him, it happened naturally. But I give him advice as I can give to Aurélien (Tchouaméni) or himself to give me, like Cesc (Fabregas) who gives it to everyone (smile). Eliot, I quickly hooked up with him because I saw myself in him when I started.

His life off the pitch

In the neighborhood, I am the son, the little brother, the friend and nothing else

Comment do you use your free time?

I do what I can’t do on weekdays. Go out, walk, discover Monaco and the Côte d’Azur. I am also very series and films. But when I have days off, I like to get out of my routine.

What is your favorite series, to recommend?

Prison Break, Game of Thrones, but I will recommend Peaky Blinders. I finished Squid Game too. Yesterday (Sunday), I started the documentary on Orelsan. I found it interesting.

Validated too?

I finished season 2 yes. She’s better than season 1. We agree that’s good (smile).

What is your musical register?

I like rap but I try to listen to everything. Rap is the music of my generation but I also listen to Afro, pop and also the sounds of Hispanics in the locker room. Not bad !

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Do you follow other sports?

A little tennis, especially the Grand Slams. The Olympics too. I watch all sports, like fencing. The box too. And then a little basketball, but it’s complicated with the time difference. I must also try to go see a Roca Team match quickly!

Who are the most important people in your life?

My parents. They are far from the world I live in. When I come home, they bring me out of this image of a footballer. He just sees me as their son and not the player.

Is it important to have a strong entourage around you?

Very well ! Especially last season, when we had a series of victories with great ease. You could quickly have swelling heads. But some players in the locker room like Benjamin (Lecomte), Stevan (Jovetic), Cesc (Fabregas) or Djibril (Sidibé) were there to bring us down. So when on top of that you come home and no one sees you as a footballer, that helps. In the neighborhood, I am the son, the little brother, the friend and nothing else.