The young Senegalese player, who experienced a challenging period last year with Nancy in France, is now living a dream after quickly settling in at Hanover. He is set to play against Bayern Munich at 3:30 p.m.
In an interview with France Football, he discussed his new position as a central defender at Hanover and his relationship with Alain Giresse ahead of the next World Cup:
- On facing Bayern Munich: “The advantage is that we know this team very well! They keep the ball a lot, especially since Pep Guardiola arrived. In my opinion, this is what they lacked: more conservation. This is the best team in the world. We know it’s going to be very difficult, that we’ll have to be doubly careful, but we’re going to do everything we can to try to win there.”
- On his new position in central defense: “We discussed it with the coach when I arrived. I told him that I was more comfortable in defensive midfield. But if I’m needed somewhere, I try to meet the requirements. At one point or another, I will return to the middle. I am determined to do so in any case.”
- On Alain Giresse’s opinion: “Alain Giresse finds me better in the middle, but he continues to call me, and I hope that he will continue (…) I would like to face Algeria…” (The draws for the last qualifying round will take place on Monday.)
- On choosing Germany: “Germany is a Championship that attracted me; I wanted to discover it. I had the choice between Sunderland and Hannover. For me, the best Championship in the world remains the Premier League, but I wanted to take on this challenge in the Bundesliga, before, why not, going to England afterwards…”
- On the language barrier: “There is just the language which is a little difficult (laughs). I think in two or three months it will be better!”
