Philippe Clément, the coach of Monaco, has “received no signal” regarding a departure
“Did the victory against Paris (3-0, March 20) change anything in the dynamics of your group?
I don’t think you can win a match like this, in this way, without already being in a good dynamic. She was already well before the game. Many players have left for selection. Those who stayed here trained well. They had three days off over the weekend but worked the rest of the time.
How did you manage to continue to assimilate your automatisms to your group?
(With departures in selection) We couldn’t do it. But it’s a period to do other things, to improve technical, physical and mental things and to see a lot of young players. I always use the international truces to bring the youngsters from the academy up, to see them and broadcast them at a faster pace of play.
How did you experience the article published in The Team stating your departure program, as well as those of Oleg Petrov (vice-president of the club) and Paul Mitchell (sporting director)?
I was surprised. This story, the morning before a big game… But with the staff and the players we focused on the game. I came here in January with a two and a half year contract, in an ambitious project with young players to improve them physically, tactically, technically and mentally. I’m focused on that. And I received no signal from anyone at the club about what was written. I am focused on my work.
Where is Maripan, who went to the Chilean selection without playing there?
He was not 100% against PSG. Regarding the Chilean selection, they preferred to play other players, it was a choice. It is much better than ten days ago. Today (Friday), he did all the training. He missed a few weeks of training, but it’s much better.
Besides Diatta (recovery, knee), are there any players unavailable against Metz?
Magnes (Akliouche) was sick this (Friday) morning. So he wasn’t in training. Those C (Fabregas) only did part of the training. He worked individually. It needs to take minutes.
“France is the big favourite”
A few hours before the draw for the next World Cup, who do you see among the favorites and what do you expect from the Red Devils?
As I have been there for two months, I can now say that France is the big favourite. Not only with its basic players, but because it is a selection which has two, three high quality players in each position. Spain still have a lot of quality, with a lot of young players.
Regarding Belgium, we have had an exceptional generation in recent years. Several players have been arrested, such as Kompany and Vermaelen. Hazard hasn’t been well for some time either. It changes a lot of things for a small country like us. Because of that, I don’t think we’re among the favourites. But I hope we will do great things. You don’t have to be favorite to do great things. »