“Lucas has told me a lot of good things about Hertha!”
“Lucas has told me a lot of good things about Hertha!”
On Wednesday (28/10/20), Mattéo Guendouzi spoke to the media about his first impressions, training in self-isolation and talks with head coach Bruno Labbadia.
After joining a new club, you want to get going straight away, get to know your new teammates and environment and show the coach that you’re up for it. Mattéo Guendouzi wasn’t so lucky – after the international break and a positive coronavirus test, the Frenchman was forced to go into ten days of self-isolation and undertake “cyber training”, as Bruno Labbadia describes it. The ambitious midfielder used the time well though, working twice a day with Hertha’s fitness coaches via video link, meaning that he’s in great physical condition. “. I trained really hard and made the most of my time, so now I’m feeling really good and fitter than I’ve been for a while,” said Guendouzi, talking to the press as a Hertha player for the first time. Grinning, he said: “I’m feeling even better now that I’m allowed back out onto the pitch!” Hertha’s new number 8 introduced himself to the media and spoke about...
...his decision to move to Hertha BSC: I had to think carefully about my next step, and I decided to join Hertha as it’s a big, ambitious club with a strong side. I had other offers too and considered them, but to be able to play in the Bundesliga for a club with such lofty goals just feels right. I’m looking forward to the here and now, getting experience in a new league and I hope we can have a successful time together.
...first impressions from training: We have a lot of good players here who are really good on the ball. You could tell that straight away. I’ve been really looking forward to being able to play with the boys.
...his relationship with Lucas Tousart and their shared history: I’ve known Lucas for a while, we’re good friends and we’ve played together in the France youth set-up. He’s told me a lot of good things about Hertha and the Bundesliga, and obviously that made the decision easier. I would love to be on the pitch with Lucas – we know each other well, we know the quality the other player possesses and we know how we play. That makes us both better.
...the sporting situation and his aims for the season: Recent results haven’t been great, but we did a lot of things right in Leipzig and we made a lot of correct decisions. If we keep going and stay focused, we’ll get better results. I’m sure of that and I want to help us achieve that! I want to work with the team to do as well as we can and to win as many games as possible. Obviously I want to play as much as possible too, so that I can develop and show my ability. That way we all make progress – both me as an individual and the whole club.
…his favourite position and his strengths: I like to play either as a number 6 or a number 8, that way I can have a lot of the ball and I have room to drive forward. I played in both positions at Arsenal and I can switch roles quickly. I just like being on the ball and finding my teammates to put them through on goal; I want to play fast football with the team. That suits the direct football that our coach likes.
…his time with Arsenal: I had two really exciting years in London; I learned a lot and played in over 80 competitive matches. The time there also had a big influence on me and helped me to develop as a person. We had plenty of players with previous Bundesliga experience at Arsenal – I have a really good relationship with Mesut Özil and he told me a lot of good things about the league. I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to getting started here.
…discussions with Bruno Labbadia: I had some good conversations with the coach; he explained exactly what he expects of me, as well as his preferred style of play and his intentions for me and the team this season. I had a really positive feeling after our talks, and that made me lean towards signing for Hertha. Together I hope that we can achieve as many of our goals as possible! I love the competition in the squad. I’m really ambitious and I want to win every single game – even in training. The coach has a similar mindset; he pushes us hard and has high expectations. That’s something we have in common and it can only be good for the team.
…training in quarantine: I stayed fit during this period by doing a lot of cardio. The fitness coach and I were in regular contact on our phones and tablets. That was really helpful and did me a lot of good. I trained really hard and made the most of my time, so now I’m feeling really good and fitter than ever before. I’m feeling even better now that I’m allowed back out onto the pitch!
…a possible debut against Wolfsburg: I worked hard in quarantine and I feel physically fit and ready to go if the coach needs me. I will be really happy if I get the chance to play – there’s nothing better than being out there on the pitch.
…his hair: I’ve had my hair like this since I was a little kid, so I’m just comfortable with it by now. I’ll probably keep this style until I start losing my hair! (grins)
…his personal situation and adapting to Berlin: My family still lives in Paris, and that’s where most of my friends are too. It’s nice that Berlin isn’t too far away, so they are able to visit me regularly. My favourite thing to do in my free time is to watch football, especially matches involving my mates who are playing for teams in other leagues. My first impressions of Berlin have been really good and I’ve already been able to see a little bit of the city. There is so much on offer here and I am really looking forward to finding my way Berlin.
He said...
[>]I love the competition in the squad. I’m really ambitious and I want to win every single game – even in training.[<]