QUESTION: How did you welcome your appointment as captain?

ANSWER: "I once received a phone call from David Ortiz and Gaëlle Mignot (the two new co-coaches). We started talking and they offered me the position of captain for this tournament. Of course I accepted, it's always a pleasure. It is a reward for the work done. I didn't expect it at all. I was very, very surprised when they called me to tell me that."

Q: What type of captain are you going to be?

A: "I will try to bring my experience to all these young people. I express myself more on and off the field. I don't really like speeches. I'm more exemplary in terms of play: above all not to give up, always continue to work to get the performance (...) After that, there are a lot of leaders in the team. It is with the collective that we will go as far as possible."

Q: How was the handover with Gaëlle Hermet, who was captain since the end of 2017?

A: "There is always a very good relationship between us. I've known her for a while now and it's going very well. I know that she will be there to help me and that we will work together for the team (...) There are other girls in the group who are leaders and we will rely on them to pull everyone up."

Q: You were not selected for the World Cup last fall in New Zealand. Is it a revenge to return to the selection as captain?

A: "It was very hard not to play in the World Cup, but now it's behind me, I don't think about it anymore. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger. I kept working hard to get back to my best. The goal was to be there for this tournament and I got there. But there is still work to be done."

Q: New coaches, a new captain... What will this change for the Blues?

A: "We are rebuilding. There is a new staff, new players too, some have stopped... We need time to meet and have fun especially in training, the matches to come, and go for the performance (...) The two coaches complement each other well and it goes very well with the players. They are laying a good foundation and we are here to execute all this and discuss it with them."

Q: Tensions emerged during the World Cup between some players and the coach at the time Thomas Darracq. How do you feel about the band today?

A: "This page is turned, it's behind us. There is a very good atmosphere, it is going very well. We are focusing on the tournament and the upcoming match against Italy. We know it's going to be very hard for them. We will take the matches one after the other, perform to the maximum and build crescendo to achieve a good end on this Tournament (April 29 in England, defending champion)".

Interview by Sébastien DUVAL

© 2023 AFP