Yuto Nagatomo, 34, wanted to reassure about his age during his official presentation.

-

Christophe SIMON / AFP

  • Yuto Nagatomo, 34-year-old rookie from Olympique de Marseille, reassured him about his age and physical abilities during his official presentation.

  • “Player trading” remains OM's priority in terms of recruitment strategy.

"I may be 34 years old, but I can run more than all," promises Yuto Nagatomo, the new OM recruit, assuring that he was not only bringing his international experience, during his presentation on Wednesday. , in Marseille.

“Physically, I feel good, I trained every day, I am a great professional,” reassures the Japanese international (122 caps), aging himself by a few days, since he will be celebrating his 34th birthday on September 12.

It is this experience which seduced the OM, explains the director of football, Pablo Longoria, highlighting “his professionalism” and “his personality”, before unrolling some stats of his rookie: “21 Champions League matches , 210 games with Inter Milan… ”“ He played in clubs used to pressure like Inter and Galatasaray ”, insists Longoria.

"A player ready"

"We win a ready player," said André Villas-Boas for his part.

The Marseille coach explains "that there is no need to teach him the job, he knows what is expected of him, like Alvaro (Gonzalez, the defense chief), a tactical guarantee and physical for your team ”.

Nagatomo comes to double the position of Jordan Amavi, with no real competition for the position of left side since the ouster of Patrice Evra in November 2017. Amavi goes ahead, "for me things are clear at the beginning, for Yuto too, confirms AVB , afterwards, the competition will play ”.

The Japanese for his part ensures that “Amavi is a great player, technically very good, physically very strong.

But we have so many games to play, the league, the Champions League, the Cup… We will not only play eleven.

I came to play, to contribute to the team, and I will give the maximum ”.

Nagatomo did not hesitate.

“Some teams wanted me, he says, but as soon as I got this offer, I immediately told my agent that I wanted to play in Marseille”.

“Player trading” is always the priority

It was also an opportunity for OM.

Because the Japanese veteran does not have the profile of the other recruits, Leonardo Balerdi and Pape Gueye, strong potential of 21 years brought to offer a nice added value to the resale, in a few years.

"Marseille must be balanced between young and experienced players, able to have an immediate performance and used to playing big games," explains Longoria.

The management had to be convinced, but it was simple, explain the sporting director and the coach.

Nagatomo “went a bit against what management wanted for this year's transfer window and the means at our disposal, admits Villas-Boas, but Yuto was a big market opportunity for us.

We both presented Yuto's stats and profile, they all immediately agreed ”.

"The leaders (President Jacques-Henri Eyraud) and owner (Frank McCourt) understood the situation well, that does not change our project", of "player trading", of resale with profits of hopes having progressed at OM .

Sport

World of pétanque: A player KOs a spectator too roomy

Sport

Olympique de Marseille: David Friio appointed director of recruitment

  • League 1

  • Marseilles

  • Sport

  • Soccer

  • Mercato

  • OM

  • OM Mercato