Bertrand Traoré at Aston Villa: "I have no more time to waste"

The Burkinabè Bertrand Traoré, September 23, 2018, under the colors of the Olympique Lyonnais.

Emmanuel Foudrot / Reuters

Text by: RFI Follow

6 min

More desired at Olympique Lyonnais, Bertrand Traoré was transferred to England, to Aston Villa, for more than 18 million euros.

The Burkinabè international striker spoke to RFI.

At 25, he believes he could no longer be satisfied with being on the Lyon bench.

Hence this need to "start a new adventure" in the Premier League, a championship he has already known with Chelsea.

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A new chapter begins for Bertrand Traoré.

After three seasons at Olympique Lyonnais, the Burkinabè left France.

His transfer to Aston Villa was formalized on Saturday, September 19.

OL, who had bought him in June 2017 from Chelsea for 10 million euros, made a capital gain by selling him to the Birmingham club for 18.4 million euros, a sum to which some bonuses could be added. add in the future.

A few hours after his arrival at Villa, the striker passed through Chelsea, Vitesse Arnhem and Ajax Amsterdam answered questions from RFI.

For him, who was no longer in the plans of Claude Puel and had not played a single minute of play since the start of the season,

.

Now it's time for the Premier League, which he finds with enthusiasm, while waiting to reconnect with the Stallions.

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I said it before leaving Lyon: I am 25 years old and I have no more time to waste.

There is no longer any need to say "this is a young person who comes to ask for something".

This was not the case with the coach.

Either you go into the coach's plans and you play, or you don't go into his plans and you leave.

Did you feel like you were wasting your time in Lyon lately?

In football, at 25, you are no longer a young player.

I had no more time to waste by staying on the bench.

At 25, I have to play every game.

At 20, I was already playing every match (he was then loaned by Chelsea to the Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, note).

I can't see myself sitting on the bench at 25. 

Is it a regret to end your Lyon adventure like this?

I think it's better to talk about my new club than to dwell on what happened in Lyon.

I made the decision to join a new club, a new project, a club that wanted me.

I am happy to be here and to start a new adventure.

I spent three years in Lyon, I did my time there.

I am happy with my visit to Lyon.

Bertrand Traoré with his ex-teammate in Lyon, Houssem Aouar.

REUTERS / Emmanuel Foudrot

You are back in England, because we remember that you finished your training at Chelsea.

England is a league for you?

It is a renowned championship, among the best in the world.

It's exciting to come back here.

I played with Chelsea, it makes me happy to come back to this championship.

As a player, I like to have fun.

I'm going to start taking it again in the Premier League.

Aston Villa played maintenance last year.

Is it a team to revive you, with a guarantee of being a starting point

I liked the project.

They got in touch with me and offered me a good project.

The goal is to come and play, do good things and help the team stay in the Premier League.

Many African internationals thrive in the English championship (Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang…).

Are they role models for you?

Just because others are successful doesn't mean I will be successful.

I've been there before (10 appearances and 2 goals scored with the Chelsea Blues, in 2015-2016, between his loans in Arnhem and Amsterdam, editor's note).

Football is a team sport but also an individual sport, especially in terms of performance.

It's up to me to do things well, to work well.

Burkinabè Bertrand Traoré during CAN 2017. RFI / Pierre René-Worms

The Stallions will be back in October, against Madagascar, almost a year after their last appearance.

Is it a goal for you to become one of the leaders of this team?

I am already a leader of this team.

I am no longer a hope of the country.

I have been playing for the national team for nine years.

I am considered a leader of it and I assume this costume.

I'm happy, because it's been over a year since I played an official match with Burkina Faso.

Last time I was a little hurt.

Even if it will only be a friendly match, I will be happy to wear this jersey again and see my teammates from the selection.

I've been giving my all in selection for a long time.

I try to be as decisive as possible.

I was, by the way.

For me, the status does not change in selection.

It is above all the image of the selection that is changing, with a lot of young players from 18-20 years old arriving and who will play a lot more.

Before, there were known faces like Jonathan Pitroipa, Aristide Bancé, Bakary Koné (currently without a club, editor's note) ... There is a new generation to bring, and we will do it together.

It's not up to one person to don this costume, although I do take on my role as a leader on this team.

Interview for RFI by Martin Guez.

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