Philippe Clément (Monaco coach): “I have already seen good things”
“Cesc Fabregas is back in training. Where is he physically?
Some coaches do not participate their players in group sessions when they are at 100%. This is not the case with Cesc, but he can do exercises, it depends on that much. He still has a lot of work to do. But for me, it’s always better to have feelings with the group rather than individually. His total return will depend on his physical condition.
What exactly have Djibril Sidibé, Benoît Badiashile and Myron Boadu, injured in Nantes?
They had thigh problems, hamstring problems. These are three different cases. Benoît already had a problem with his thigh. He was hit, he lost his balance because of it and it kinda affected the injury he already had. Djibril, he had teeth problems two days before the match. He probably had inflammation. I don’t think his absence will be that long. And Myron, he hurt himself on the occasion of the goal, on a hyperextension. It’s a bit the same injury as Benoît. The three are forfeited for this match against Clermont.
And Golovin?
There is still a doubt concerning him, a great doubt.
There is, however, the return of Ben Yedder, Disasi and Fofana, affected by the Covid … Are they operational?
I think so, but it’s going to be difficult for them to play 90 minutes.
“What is important for me in the game is to have more verticality, to do more actions behind the back of the opponent’s defense”
Were you surprised that your players seemed tired after the match against Nantes (0-0, Sunday), where we saw several lying on the lawn at the final whistle?
A little bit, yes. But I heard it was the 3rd best physical performance in 18 months, so that means they put in a lot of effort. But these efforts must be our normal level.
Are they not yet physically ready?
They also worked physically before, but to have more verticality in the game, you have to accelerate more and we lack that today.
Despite the feedback, can you still bring Caio Henrique back to number 10?
I think that, for the moment, we do not have a number 10 used to the position of playmaker. We have players with different qualities. We have to watch game after game to know what to do.
How much time do you give yourself for your players to assimilate your ideas?
I’ve already seen some good things after four days, but we have to perfect these things, that’s for sure. We have a lot of axes of progression, but it always depends on the connection there is between the players and the staff, for the understanding of things. We have to convince the players. What is important for me in the game is to have more verticality, to do more actions behind the back of the opponent’s defense. This is what we work for.
This assimilation of your principles must be done quickly …
Naturally. We can’t wait until next season, that’s clear. “