Loaned out to Montpellier then Ajaccio, Jean-Philippe Sabo, who has already had the honour of wearing an OM jersey, would like to renew the experience.
Among the numerous youngsters that Didier Deschamps brought along for the training camp at Port-Crouesty, there is one that we now perhaps a little better than others, Jean-Philippe Sabo. His face lights up when he speaks about the 17th of January 2008. "It was my first time in the starting line-up with OM against Auxerre in the Coupe de la Ligue (quarter-final, a 1-0 defeat for OM). It’s a great memory, he says. This match brought me out into the limelight a little more and permitted me to sign my first pro-contract, it kick-started my career. This match was important for me". Despite the elimination he put in a good first time performance.
Six months later, the young left back was loaned out to Rolland Courbis’s Montpellier. At the end of the 2008-09 season, Montpellier obtained their pass to the elite. “I only have good memories. We had a fantastic coach, I learned a great deal. We put in a good season, full of emotions even if not everything was easy over the course of the season. The last match against Strasbourg, just like my first with OM, remains the greatest moment of my career”.
Jean-Philippe Sabo picked up a great deal of experience playing 34 matches over the course of a memorable season in the Ligue 2 with Montpellier. “I didn’t expect to play as much especially as it was my first season. The coach had faith in me and I grabbed my chance. Things went well, especially as we gained promotion. It’s fulfilling for a player”. Unfortunately, the authorities caught up with Rolland Courbis at that moment and Jean-Philippe Sabo would not discover the elite. “I wanted to stay but the coach was not able to continue the adventure. The new manager didn’t count on me apparently, I had to bounce elsewhere”.
Elsewhere was in Corsica. After Montpellier, the native of Gouvieux in the Oise county was loaned out to AC Ajaccio in the L2 for the 2009-10 season. Without having the same success as with Louis Nicollin’s club, Jean-Philippe Sabo played even more and built up his experience in a tough division. “I put in a second full season in a row. It was a different season, even if at one point we were in fourth place just three points from third, but a run of eight defeats in a row knocked us back. I played 34 matches starting 30 of them (as opposed to 20 at Montpellier the year before) and things were getting better and better”.
Still under contract with OM, after two years away on loan, "Jean-Phi" is on the training camp at Port-Crouesty. “Things are going just fine. We have a good group, everyone gets on very well”. The physical efforts are tough but he put in good tests last Sunday. “I’m ok with pace and top aerobic speed, but I still have areas to work on like my jumping. Other than that it’s satisfying”, he admits.
The question of his future obviously comes up. OM? A loan to a L2 or L1 club? "All players want to wear the OM jersey. But young players need to gain experience in the Ligue 2, afterwards you can aim higher. If it is with OM then all the better, but if I am loaned out again a Ligue 1 club would be more fulfilling for me. It would allow me to see if I can hold my own at this level, he states before adding what is essential to all footballers, I want to keep playing, put in good matches and enjoy myself”.
