Yohan Cabaye : "ASSE is mythical"
The International midfielder was officially presented to the media this Saturday evening. On the eve of the trip to the Vélodrome, ASSE’s last recruit expressed his joy to take up the Stéphanois challenge.

How did you make the decision to come to ASSE?
That was very easy. I was in a complicated situation, without a contract and without a club. I was lucky that ASSE thought of offering me the opportunity to play for them. I didn’t consider the offer for a long time. After having spoken with the coach, I made my choice. The club is ambitious, there’s a full season with the European Cup. ASSE is mythical. The fans are extraordinary. All these aspects made it so I couldn’t refuse the offer.
Did reuniting with Mathieu Debuchy factor into this decision?
Mathieu, that’s a bit more of a personal aspect. I called him before coming. It pleases me to reunite with him and to take up a new challenge with him. He spoke to me regarding all the positive aspects of the club, like playing the top teams in an extraordinary stadium. He confirmed what I already knew. He spoke to me about the ambiance in the locker room and that I was quickly going to integrate myself.
What was your opinion of ASSE before signing?
Saint-Étienne showed on the field these last few seasons that it’s a team that plays the top teams in the rankings. It’s ambitious. For me, ASSE has always been a great club. When a player has the opportunity to sign with ASSE, he knows that it’s a turning point in his career. That’s also why I’m here.
How do you feel physically?
I feel very well. I’ve worked a lot these last six months. I was still at my former club where I was training individually. This summer, I really prepared myself in order to arrive at my new club with the physical attributes necessary to start things off right. I didn’t have many opportunities to practice with the ball and I still have to get used to my new environment. That will come back to me quickly. I’m motivated and determined. The rest will come.
What are your motivations on a personal level?
I came here with my character. I’m certainly here to play. As you grow in age, you grow in experience. The team is very young. It will be important to be able to exchange, discuss with everyone. Being able to be there to help the coach and the team. In any case, I want to play as much as possible.
Were the last six months without playing difficult?
It was the first time that I experienced that. I tried to keep my objectives in mind. Sometimes, we ask ourselves why we do it. I still had one year in my contract. When they told me they no longer wanted anything from me, I looked for a new challenge. I asked myself questions. Was a club going to think of me? The doubt crept in a bit but I didn’t give up. I know what it’s like to be sidelined, without a club. In the end, I was rewarded because today I find myself at a club like Saint-Étienne. I’m going to intensely live every moment.
What is your opinion on the UEFA Europa League draw?
It’s a good group. It could have been more difficult. Wolfsburg is a very good team. The Belgian teams are always difficult. I’m not at all familiar with the Ukrainians, which doesn’t mean that we’ll earn six points against them. We can hope to qualify. We’ll have to have the necessary performance level to rival these three adversaries.
What is your judgement of your new teammates?
Individually, the level of the team is high. There are very good players. The physical state of the players is very different. We’ll need a bit of time for everyone to be at the same level. Honestly, I’m not worried. There is quality everywhere in the locker room. Last season, the beginning was difficult then the team finished well. That’s an example to keep in mind.
In what state of mind will you have to be Sunday evening against OM?
We shouldn’t be afraid. Wednesday’s outcome is certainly difficult to bear. Right now, we can no longer change it, it’s behind us. We have to use it to rebound and go earn a positive outcome in Marseille. A team that just earned a victory. We’ll need a lot of character to finish well there.
Fil infos
- Aujourd'hui - 20h51 Coupe de France Les Verts à Bonal pour les 32es de finale
- Aujourd'hui - 17h44 #Derby Benoît Bastien au sifflet
- Aujourd'hui - 12h48 Entraînement La préparation du Derby est lancée
- Aujourd'hui - 11h08 Boutique des Verts Soldes : -30% sur tout le textile
- Mardi 19 Janv. Entretien Claude Puel : "Une situation ubuesque"
- Mardi 19 Janv. #RCSAASSE 42e réussie pour Mahdi
- Mardi 19 Janv. ASSE.TV Décimés mais pas résignés
- Lundi 18 Janv. Boutique des Verts La Boutique des Verts ouverte de 9h30 à 17h30
- Lundi 18 Janv. ASSE.TV #RCSAASSE disponible en replay
- Lundi 18 Janv. Agenda Le programme de la semaine du 18 au 24 janvier
- Lundi 18 Janv. #RCSAASSE Aïmen Moueffek élu homme du match
- Lundi 18 Janv. #RCSAASSE Le résumé vidéo
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Lucas Gourna : "Très fier de mon équipe"
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Aïmen Moueffek : "On était déterminés"
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Laurent Huard : "Le groupe n'est pas récompensé"
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Qui a été le meilleur Vert ?
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Les Verts méritaient mieux (0-1)
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Le match en stats by ZEbet
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE Les derniers buts contre Strasbourg
- Dimanche 17 Janv. #RCSAASSE En Vert et contre tout
- Vendredi 15 Janv. Calendrier La réception de Metz programmée
- Vendredi 15 Janv. Communiqué officiel De nombreux cas positifs au Covid-19
- Vendredi 15 Janv. ENTRAÎNEMENT Dans le froid stéphanois
- Jeudi 14 Janv. #RCSAASSE Antony Gautier au sifflet
- Jeudi 14 Janv. Anniversaire Joyeux anniversaire Dominique Rocheteau !
- Jeudi 14 Janv. ENTRAÎNEMENT L'esprit de compétition guide l'entraînement
- Mercredi 13 Janv. Sélections internationales Kenzo Kies sélectionné
- Mercredi 13 Janv. LE GESTE VERT L'abnégation du capitaine
- Mercredi 13 Janv. Sélections internationales Israël Kinunga-Mbala et Djibril Othman bientôt en Bleu
- Mercredi 13 Janv. ENTRAÎNEMENT Séance double ce mercredi
- Mercredi 13 Janv. Calendrier Le réception de Nantes fixée en semaine
- Mercredi 13 Janv. ASSE Cœur-Vert Valentine, une première grâce aux supporters !
- Mardi 12 Janv. #RCSAASSE Semaine lancée !
- Mardi 12 Janv. Communiqué officiel Jean-François Soucasse, nouveau Directeur général des services
- Mardi 12 Janv. #SDRASSE Capitaine Debuch' encore honoré
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