EXCLUDED | Ismail Jakobs: “AS Monaco is comparable to a club like Borussia Dortmund”
Arrived from Cologne last summer to replace Caio Henrique at left-back, the young (22) Ismail Jakobs poses as a real alternative to the Brazilian.
Lucide, the German hopeful European champion is on the Rock to progress, as he confides to Goal.
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Before Kevin Volland, great German players like Oliver Bierhoff or Jürgen Klinsmann went through AS Monaco. Is it an honor for you to perpetuate this tradition?
Honestly, I hadn’t thought of it, but I definitely joined AS Monaco to take a step forward in my career. My goal is to go as far as possible and be very successful with this club.
Did you speak with former or current German players of AS Monaco before deciding to put your suitcases on the Rock?
Not really. During a transfer, the progress of the negotiations should not be mentioned, this could have an impact on the signature. Subsequently, when the agreement was approved, I spoke a lot with Benjamin Henrichs (left for RB Leipzig). Kevin Volland was on vacation at this time, following the Euro, but he was already sending me messages when we didn’t know each other, it’s really nice.
How do you live the competition in your position with Caio Henrique?
Caio is a fantastic player, I’m improving a lot alongside him. The coach has used it a notch higher lately which has given me the chance to play even more, that’s positive. I will continue to be inspired by his game, he is a very good player.
In recent seasons, AS Monaco has mainly bet on young players with high potential like you, surrounded by a few experienced players. How’s it going in the locker room?
I would say that we can compare AS Monaco to a club like Dortmund in Germany. Borussia also appeals to young players in order to develop them for the top level. It’s going very well, I came to AS Monaco with the ambition to progress and win trophies with this club.
“It would be a great and great opportunity to play for Senegal.”
You were European U23 champion with Germany but you haven’t had an A selection yet. Are you thinking of the Mannschaft?
Yes, of course, it’s a dream but I think that for the moment it’s not my main objective which is rather to work hard, to progress and to help AS Monaco achieve its objectives.
Do you think that a call-up under the colors of AS Monaco is possible?
Of course, AS Monaco is a club which has a good exposure and which has always supplied national teams from all over the world. If I improve and I manage to play regularly, I could get a first selection with the Mannschaft.
You also have Senegalese nationality through your father. Are the Teranga Lions also on your mind?
This is a question that comes up often. In my opinion, Senegal is the best African team, it proved it by bringing back the last CAN. Playing for this selection would also be a great and great opportunity, but the question has still not arisen concretely. If the coach of Senegal (Aliou Cissé, editor’s note) comes to see me, it will be a real subject but for the moment it is not one.
About UFL
UFL is the new football simulation designed by the Strikerz Inc. studio for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and S consoles. Developed under the Unreal Ungine engine, the video game intends to exploit “the very latest technologies” to offer console football fans “a first-rate gaming experience”. In terms of licensing and statistics, Strikerz Inc. announced that it has entered into a partnership with FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Football Associations), as well as the sports performance analysis brand InStat which “will provide detailed data and up-to-date statistics of each of the players.” If the game’s release date has not yet been revealed, the studio has already revealed that it has established several partnerships with major European clubs, including AS Monaco, West Ham, Sporting Portugal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Möchengladbach, Rangers FC, Celtic or even Besiktas JK.