After having signed "the best season of (his) career", the Leverkusen striker approaches the Champions League like a Bayer executive, before aiming for a first participation in the World Cup.

Q: How do you view your previous season, with 13 goals, 10 assists and a 3rd place finish in the Bundesliga?

A: "Individually, I think I have improved on several points, my defensive withdrawal, but also on my attacking work, being more straight in front of goal. I think it has been the best season of my career, with many results. The work done ended up being reflected in the matches."

Q: Did you discuss at the beginning of last season with your coach the fact of wanting to improve on defensive work?

A: "It had to come from me, because if it doesn't come from me, no one will do it for me. Yes, I discussed it with the coach and also some players. I had to improve on that point. Defensive work is part of the game, I had to anchor that in myself. It comes in little by little. It's one of the things that a great player must have. I must have this chest to go back and forth in defense and attack. I think I have it, it comes in less, I think it was seen at the end of last season."

Q: Did you have to adapt in your preparation to improve in this sector?

A: "When you replace yourself a lot defensively, it requires a little more + cardio +, to get a second wind quickly. By working on that here at the club, it has allowed me to progress defensively. I also work at home on + cardio + and muscle strengthening to avoid injuries."

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Q: You are going to rediscover the Champions League, but for the first time as a starter.

What do you expect from this group stage?

A: "I'm rediscovering it with Leverkusen, I had already played it before with PSG. There, I'm going to start the matches, it's up to me to make sure to pull the group up, give the best of myself to bring a lot to the team. I approach it in a different role, I have a little more personality and the team relies on me a lot."

Q: A year ago, Didier Deschamps called on you for the first time.

Since then you have always been called.

Do you think you have another status now?

A: "No, not at all. I think I'm still new to the group. I've only been there for a year. In the France team, there are a lot of good players, so it's up to you. me, when I'm there, to work like I do here. And when I have my chance, to give the best of myself on the pitch and learn among great players. The most difficult thing is to stay there, not to get there. I make sure to stay there as long as possible."

Q: You've been on every roster for a year.

Is the World Cup in the back of your mind?

A: "Yes, we are necessarily thinking about it. But first there will be the Nations League matches in September. We will have to be on this list, then we will see how it goes for me, and why not dream of to be on the list for the World Cup. For the moment, we forget the list of the World Cup. There are first the Nations League matches, then in the club. But yes, as always, I I want to be there."

Q: What would it mean to you to play in a World Cup?

A: "It would be a great pride, I used to watch it on television. If I'm there, it will mean that I would have worked a lot and that I deserve to be there. is a dream, a childhood dream to do a World Cup, especially since it would be my first and I hope not my last.

Interview by Thomas BACH.

© 2022 AFP