“I was seduced by the AS Monaco project”
AS Monaco’s first summer recruit, the Japanese international winger, who had joined his new teammates at the end of the internship in Lagos, Portugal, gave his first impressions to the media during his introductory press conference.
He celebrated his first appearance with his new colors this weekend in a friendly match against Inter Milan (2-2). Arriving in the Principality at the very end of June to sign up with AS Monaco for the next four seasons, Takumi Minamino expressed his satisfaction on Wednesday during his presentation to the media. It was therefore at the La Turbie Performance Center, and in the presence of the Sporting Director, Paul Mitchell, that he spoke his first words in front of the cameras. Extracts.
The introductory word of the sporting director, Paul Mitchell
” Hi there. Welcome back to the Performance Center. You can see that the latest infrastructure is emerging, including the new ground equipped with a grandstand, which will soon be corrected. We are here today to introduce you to our first three recruits of the summer, Takumi Minamino, Breel Embolo and Thomas Didillon, who will increase the integral quality of the team. I would therefore like to welcome them among us! »
Regarding Taki, he has shown in the past that he is a very versatile attacking player, who can play in several different positions. We want to play a very attractive, dynamic, attacking game. We scored a lot of goals at the end of last season, and we believe that Takumi will allow us to continue in this philosophy.
Sports Director of AS Monaco
Takumi Minamino’s press conference:
His choice to sign for AS Monaco
AS Monaco is the first club that approached me. I was immediately interested, and that’s why I met the coach, Philippe Clément, as well as the Sporting Director, Paul Mitchell, who told me a lot about the project. I was very seduced, and that’s why I wanted to link my future to this prestigious team.
🇲🇨🎥 With @takumina0116 for his first steps in Red and White.
(with a contagious good mood 😁) #WelcomeTakumi pic.twitter.com/dX821PJOWp
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 8, 2022
Information taken from the selection partner
I already had a very good impression of the French championship, which has proven that it is capable of bringing out very good young people every year. It is also a real springboard for a career. I obviously contacted Hiroki Sakai and Eiji Kawashima, who told me a lot of good things about Ligue 1, and that it was a championship where there is a lot of speed in the game, and that it is perfect for flourish.
Looking back, I think it was a trigger for me to learn other languages. At the time I had seen the training center and the Stade Louis-II, and I said to myself that I would like to play here one day.
His trial at the age of 16
World Cup goal with Japan
Obviously the 2022 World Cup is a personal goal. But before that I already want to get my bearings and perform with AS Monaco. It is important that I show my qualities first here, and then it will be time to think about the selection and this great competition that is the World Cup.
On his trial in the Principality at the age of 16
It goes back a long time, but the memory I have is a bit sad. Training went well, I loved coming here, but I couldn’t really communicate with my teammates because I didn’t speak the language. Looking back, I think it was a trigger for me to learn other languages. At the time I had seen the training center and the Stade Louis-II, and I said to myself that I would like to play here one day.
His contribution to the team
I spoke about it with the coach. He asked me to bring my experience to this group, made up of a lot of very good young people. In the approach to matches, in the management of emotions, I think I am able to bring all this to my teammates.
Statistical goals?
I have a personal goal of course, but I keep it to myself. My role is above all to help the team as well as possible, whether in the game or, of course, in scoring and scoring goals. I will give my maximum on a daily basis for the collective.
It doesn’t matter, I will evolve where the coach considers that I can bring the most to the team. I haven’t talked to him directly about it yet, but it will also depend on the match situation, and I will adapt to what he wants.
On his preferred position
Jürgen Klopp’s tribute to his future
The time I spent with Jürgen Klopp remains unforgettable for me. I didn’t have a lot of playing time at Liverpool, but he had faith in me and when I played I tried to give back to him and show what I could do. I believe that this trust was mutual, also with my partners and this exceptional club that is Liverpool.
“He made us better every day he was with us – not just in the games he played, but in every training session. Perfect attitude, winning mentality.”
Jurgen Klopp on @takumina0116‘s great contribution to our success in recent years 👇
—Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 28, 2022
His physical form
I feel very good. I joined the team during the preparation camp in Lagos, Portugal. There are still preparation matches before the start of the season and training sessions to perfect my condition. But I will be 100% for the resumption of the championship and for the European deadlines that await us.
Its preferential position
Ideally I feel good as number 10, in the axis. But I can also play on the flanks, on the left or on the right, or even in a centre-forward position, like against Inter Milan. It doesn’t matter, I will evolve where the coach considers that I can bring the most to the team. I haven’t talked to him directly about it yet, but it will also depend on the match situation, and I will adapt to what he wants.
A word in French?
” Hello how are you ? ” (smile). It’s true that I don’t have a lot of vocabulary yet, but I’m going to learn it very quickly with a teacher.