It is usually rare in the media. Laurent Koscielny is not the greatest communicator in the world of French football. But the situation, which he finds unfair, prompted him to speak out, to defend his image and his reputation. This Thursday morning, the international defender gave his vision of the facts in a long interview for the Team.
While the Girondins de Bordeaux are living a delicate season on the pitch (17th in Ligue 1) and behind the scenes, President Gérard Lopez announced on Wednesday that his central defender and captain “will not end the season with us and that he left the club in January ”in an interview with Sud Ouest. He is not the only one to suffer this purge: defender Paul Baysse and Algerian midfielder Mehdi Zerkane have sidelined and sent in reserve. But for Koscielny it seems that this is the end of the adventure with the club in the scapular. Stéphane Courbis, his agent, was informed on Monday evening and the person did not meet his leaders until Wednesday.
“They just told me that this was their new strategy, and that we would find a solution with the CFO so that everything went well for everyone,” Koscielny explains. Before continuing. “I am a footballer, so my passion is primarily to play. Then also to set an example for my partners, as captain. So, I took it very hard. We will say it was a good fist in the face. But I am a fighter, I will continue to fight and do whatever it takes to stay at the top level and help the collective so that the team has the best possible results. “
The player, who ensures to continue to “give his all for the club”, hopes to be present for the match in Rennes on Sunday. “I train normally and give the maximum. “
Pointed out because of his salary – the most important of the workforce – the former Arsenal player returns to the conditions of his arrival in Gironde. “When I sign in 2019, it is GACP and King Street who are at the origin of this contract. Things have changed since then, and not just a little. We changed owners, there was the Covid, Mediapro… So that my salary is a problem for them, I understand it in view of the current economic context. I am ready to listen, I am ready to hear. But get off the ship? Impossible. In any case, not in this way. “
The international with the 51 capes also responds to the criticisms of his lifestyle. “I’ve been a professional for eighteen years. Look at my career and count the number of matches I have made. Is it because I like wine? Of course I love wine, I’m in a wine region, so I can have moments with my family where we taste good wine. I fully assume (…) But then there is the work and I am always on the ground, thoroughly and on time. “
The 36-year-old does not hide the idea that this announcement could have an impact on the rest of his career. “I’m going to sit down and chat with the people who are important to me. “
