Scorer or almost in each of his recent outings for the selection, and again on Wednesday evening against Luxembourg, Randal Kolo Muani almost gives credence to the idea that he feels better in the French team than at PSG, where he has not scored again in Ligue 1 since February. “It makes me feel good,” the Parisian striker whispered at a press conference this Thursday, regarding his performance the day before. I’m happy to come back in blue, to wear this jersey. It’s a pleasure to support the nation, to give everything for this country…”
He concedes that his first season in Paris was mediocre and is not afraid to move forward. “It always feels good to score, to regain confidence, because I needed it,” he said. The coach gives me a lot, and I try to give it back, as it should be. It was a very, very complicated season. I have never experienced so many difficulties since I started playing football. Afterwards, it’s part of my journey to not give up. I think everything was new to me. The coach’s philosophy, the system, the environment. It shook me up a bit, but now it’s been going well for a few weeks. So, we continue like this. »
The former Frankfurt player cuts short any talk of leaving PSG: “There was no discussion on the question of staying or leaving. I feel very good here and I don’t plan to leave. » Will the departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real weaken the capital’s team? “We still won a lot of matches while he was on the bench,” defends Kolo Muani. But it still hits home. We are going to lose a great player, who scored a lot of goals and did a lot for PSG. But hey, I will rub shoulders with him in the French team, I hope. »
“At PSG, more is expected of me”
The French team, “Kolo” does not hide that it feels good there. “I know the players here a little more than at PSG when I arrived,” he explains. There are also the expectations around me, which are different. I think that at PSG, more is expected of me, given the amount of the transfer (€95 million). I feel less of that pressure here. That’s why I play a little more liberated, I think. »
And then, Didier Deschamps likes him. “I don’t think I’m his favorite,” explains Kolo. He always believed in me. He always gave me advice. He tells me to do what I have in mind, to play without putting pressure on myself. »
At the Euro, too happy to be there, the striker will not be difficult, neither in terms of playing time, nor in relation to his positioning. “I know that I don’t have my place written directly in the eleven,” he said. For me, it’s just about scratching out a few minutes, finishing 15-20 minute matches and giving everything to help the team win. It’s the coach who decides to make me play on the right, on the left or in the center. But as long as he puts me on the field, I will play and I will be happy. »
