Monaco (AFP)

"Euro 2020 goal": Monaco's youngster Benjamin Henrichs has been digesting the club's catastrophic season this summer. It is a new cycle he wants to start Friday against Lyon, opening the L1, with an ambitious eye on the Mannschaft.

Landed in the Principality at the very end of the summer transfer window 2018 in the company of Belgian Nacer Chadli, in what looks like a "panic buying" more than 20 million euros anyway, the lateral of 22 years has taken a long time to s acclimatize.

Far from the Bundesliga and Leverkusen where he had shown great potential on his right side, Henrichs has lived on a team in distress. Despite 29 games played (including four in C1 and 22 in L1), almost all as a holder, he even regularly plunged with his team.

"Last year was not easy, he admits in good French, we want to do better, it's important for the fans, and for everyone here."

This complicated past seems to be over. "I arrived very late last year," he explains, "it's different, after three weeks of vacation, I did a good preparation, and we worked well together, with good matches against Porto, Valencia, Sampdoria or Everton. "

Previously, the German has also been able to regain confidence with his national team for Euro U21. Like his French teammate Fodé Ballo-Touré, eliminated in the semifinal by Spain, with whom he had yet "rendezvous in the final", he fell on the last step (2-1).

But Henrichs was one of the best Germans. His performances also pushed Bayern Munich to think a little more about his case.

- "Improve my statistics" -

He evacuates: "The rumors are part of football, they were relayed after the Euro, but I did not talk about it with the coach (Leonardo Jardim) .I am in Monaco and concentrate on what I have to do here. "

Joachim Löw, the iconic guide to the selection that has chosen him to win the Confederations Cup in 2017, is also keeping a keen eye on him.

Henrichs likes it, emphasizing: "We made a good Euro, now I want to try to find the selection A where I have three selections.The goal is the Euro 2020. But for that I have to do a good club season. "

On Friday against Lyon, "team of Champions League but we have already beaten last season (2-0)", he must show that he has reached a plateau.

Aligned during the preparation, midfield with Cesc Fabregas, "world champion alongside whom I learn a lot", Henrichs will also demonstrate that his versatility is also a strength.

Like Fabinho in his time, the German has a card to play to ensure a place of stabilizer of the team. Since the arrivals of Ballo-Toure, in January, and of Ruben Aguilar, at the beginning of the week, reduced his field of possibilities as defender. "I can play side or middle," he says, "I feel good at all positions and at the coach's disposal."

Henrichs remains focused on his personal goals. "My ambition is to play more than last season and improve my statistics in terms of goals and assists," he concludes in an offensive tone.

First preview Friday night at the opening of the Championship.

© 2019 AFP