OM's Senegalese defender made good use of the morning off this Thursday. If he rested as was expected, Souley welcomed us to the players hotel at Saint-Jean-de-Luz with his ambition intact in view of the forthcoming season.
Souley, for the defender that you are, your pride must have taken a knock with the four goals conceded on Wednesday against Toulouse?
Yes, it’s annoying to concede four goals even if it was only a friendly. It is never satisfying for a defender.
Stéphane Mbia, your partner in the centre of defence, is back, was it good to see him again?
Of course! We didn’t know where he was and we were a little worried. He explained everything and it is all ok now. As of this morning (Thursday), he was back at work and I hope he will be in form as quickly as possible.
Coming back to the training camp, what is the working atmosphere like in the group …
Everything is fine and the atmosphere is great. As far as the training sessions are concerned we are working hard, but you have to go through this to be at your best for the start of the season.
Do you feel the squad getting stronger as the days go by?
Totally, even in comparison to the first training camp where we worked a lot on our stamina, this week we are focusing on our power and the athletic aspect. Even if we are exhausted, we know that this will serve us well in the months to come. We are getting stronger.
You had a great season with OM, what are your objectives for the coming year?
As far as the team is concerned, that we do at least as well as we did last season. On a personal level the Coupe de France is the only domestic honour that I am missing. I’d also like to step up a level in the Champions League.
We have the impression that you have reached a blissful level in your career, what do you think?
People already said that to me when I was at Bordeaux and now they are saying it at Marseille (laughs)! I hope that I will get better as you can progress at any age. I take the good things from everyone else in order to progress. But, it is always nice to hear that!
You have an image of being a protector or counselor to the youngsters in the squad, is that something you look to do?
I talk to the others but not to make myself look better. I’m close to the youngsters, I know what they are going through as we have all been there. As an example, Cyril Rool was like an older brother to me and taught me a great deal. I just try and pass on what I have learnt, but I’m not playing a role or anything like that. In football there are a lot of fakers, but me I’m like that in civilian life as well.
It seems to be the case with Azpi who you speak to a lot in order to help him integrate …
Yes, it’s never easy for someone to leave their country and adapt to a new league, a new country. There are Spanish speaking players in the squad but he needs to adapt. If I can help him then all the better.
In a week’s time there is the Champions Trophy match against PSG, is this match important for you?
It’s very important. First of all it is against PSG and secondly there is a title to be won. You should never have enough of winning titles and I hope that we will be ready for and will win this match. Even if I already won it with Bordeaux against Lyon two years ago (0-0, 5-4 on penalties) with my super penalty which sent the keeper the wrong way!
Would a win allow you to start the season well?
Yes and no. It is a trophy that remains important and which could do us a lot of good psychologically. We’ll do all we can to win and I hope that it will give us the confidence to start the season well.
