Malang Sarr (Monaco): “I come back completely different”
“It must be special to come to Monaco for a player trained at OGC Nice…
It has a special flavor, yes. In France, I have always played at OGC Nice, it is the club that allowed me to become a professional. The Monaco project and what the club aspires to do in France and in Europe is really impressive. The project really appealed to me. I decided to join the club and perform here.
can you tell us about your career after leaving Nice?
I have had some great experiences. When I left Nice free, I did the pre-season at Chelsea before being loaned to Porto, where I had a good season. I discovered the Champions League, with high intensity matches. Last season, I returned to Chelsea, where I played with great players. I worked a lot to be in the bath of the European champion team. I come back completely different.
“The fact of discovering other championships, other styles of play, it allowed me to broaden my palette and improve myself. »
In what ?
I was able to progress in all areas. The fact of discovering other championships, other styles of play, it allowed me to broaden my palette and improve myself. Tactically, I made a lot of progress in Portugal: it was very picky defensively. The Premier League, we know how intense it is, how physical it is. I also accelerated the days in the preparation of the matches, with the fact of playing big ones all three: it allowed me to better understand my body and to better apprehend the meetings. I come back much more mature and confident, both in life and on the pitch.
Malang Sarr only stayed two seasons abroad. (D.Woley/Sports Press)
How do you see the competition here in Monaco? Do you know Guillermo Maripan, Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile?
I know everything about them, the players they are. I will learn to discover them on a human level. I’m used to competition. Competition drives performance. We’re gonna pull each other up, we’re gonna help each other.
“The club (of Nice) and the supporters know that I have always given everything for the club. I don’t know what will await me there, but I will help my team win. »
You can play sideways to the left. Do you consider yourself to be versatile or do you prefer to stay in line?
I have always been a player who has supplemented the team. If I have to evaluate on the left lane, I will also give everything. I am a central defender, but I can help out in the corridor.
Will you find the daily life that you suffered in Nice or will you settle in Monaco?
I will find my family environment and my bearings here, but I will be in the continuity of what I was doing in London, where I had settled alone. Both towns are close by. But that doesn’t really matter. I came here to meet the expectations of AS Monaco. Came here for the performance.
Malang Sarr has already played in eight derbies for Nice. (J. Prévost/The Team)
On September 4, there will be the derby against Nice, at the Allianz Riviera. How do you feel ? Good. It will be a derby and a great game to play. The club (of Nice) and the supporters know that I have always given everything for the club. I don’t know what will await me there, but I will help my team win. »