Philippe Lucas “A true football lover “

Mathieu’s trainer from between 2001 and 2003 when Mathieu played in the under 18s at Bordeaux training center.

Mathieu is still remembered from this time by one of the Bordeaux trainers. Here is his trainer’s moving but honest account of this time.

Philippe Lucas, what do you remember about Mathieu Valbuena?

I remember Mathieu as a football lover, as a football lover we see really.
He thought football all day, whereas today many players wan’t to be professional without making the necessary effort. Mathieu never missed a match on television. During his holidays, he went to Barcelona to see the Nou Camp. He rarely missed a training, where he was always full tilt.
He came with a broad smile and did all that one asked of him. Mathieu was always a good pupil.
For a trainer, it’s easy to work with such a player.

Which were his strong points?

Mathieu is extremely attentive. When he was young, Mathieu had a technical talent above average.
Where some needed to be corrected three times, Mathieu didn’t need to be corrected. His technique enabled him to learn quickly. His low center of gravity enabled him to be competitive. Despite his small build, Mathieu is fast on his feet.

So, why didn’t Bordeaux keep Mathieu?

It wasn’t because of his small build as some might believe. Some just didn’t believe in him. Mathieu had to transform his game from that of a young player to that of a professional. His game needed to be faster, and he needed to avoid confrontations.
For eighteen years, when he kept the ball too long each time he was tackled, he lost his means.
Mathieu was tested twice buy Jean-Louis Garcia, the CFA trainer, and each time, Mathieu fell the test. He always came up against strong opponents. But today, with experience, Mathieu is now capable of defending and attacking. “He is ready to play everywhere.”

Do you remember when you said to Mathieu that the adventure was to stop.

Yes, I remember it, his mother was in tears. Mathieu didn’t cry but he was very affected. We could have kept him, but he would have only played occasionally.
Our advice was for him to play more regularly at a lower level. Difficult to hear but he listened. At the same time, he changed his atypical profile.

Do you regret to have not believed in him?

Bordeaux has no regrets. At the time, Mathieu kept the ball too much. With time, he has understood that he must play faster. At the age of 23, his career is launched. Normally, a young player is apt at the age of 19,20 when he leaves training school, whereas Mathieu was on top form at the age of 23.

How do you feel about his success with Olympic de Marseille?

I knew that Mathieu had the capacity to succeed. But to succeed in a club like Marseille, I admit that Mathieu has surprised me. Mathieu has done very well. You know, for Mathieu to play a match on the beach or at the Vélodrome stadium in front of 60 000 people, it’s the same thing.

According to you, in which position is Mathieu the most effective?

For me, the best position for Mathieu is midfield. He also plays well in a lateral position. At the time, Elie Baup was managing Bordeaux and was playing the combination 4.2.2 with the midfielders on the wing. Mathieu played in this position. This was good for him and improved his physique. Mathieu is intelligent and is prepared to play anywhere in the field.

How do you imagine his future career?

(With a smile) Today, I avoid making forecasts! I sincerely hope he will go far. I hope he will remain at this level. It will be a good thing if he has a good career in first division. Anything else will be a bonus.
As for a possible selection, the right time will come. Nobody can monopolize his success. His success is in his hands. He’s been patient; he has worked hard and has always seized opportunities.

Jean-Pierre Léglise “ He has always given himself the means to succeed”

Mathieu’s trainer at Langon-Castets during the 2003-2004 season.
After failing with Girondins de Bordeaux, JPL took into hand Mathieu. In this club, Mathieu seized this second opportunity. (= Mathieu didn’t let this second opportunity go past)

Jean-Pierre Léglise, Mathieu played for one CFA season in your club, what do you remember about this time?

Mathieu has plenty of qualities. At our club, Mathieu found his feet again. Despite the question asked about his game at senior level, Mathieu never let the team down at home and away. He has never changed, he always plays the same game; he always asks for the ball and he’s always ready for a pass. Whatever the build of opponent, he will always tackled. I admire his career path and his mentality. Mathieu plays the same game at OM that he played at Langon- Castets.

Was Mathieu affected by the Bordeaux failure when he came to you?

Not really. He was young and he just wanted to be professional. He has done all he can to succeed. In Bordeaux, he trained every day whereas with us, there were only 3 trainings per week.
Whenever he had the chance to kick the ball, he kicked it. He never missed a fitness training.

Did you detect his talent from the start?

Jean-Louis Garcia (the Bordeaux trainer at the time) told me to take him as he came. Sometimes, Mathieu did too much (= exaggerated his game), but you could see he had potential. His game annoyed the opponents. In CFA2, many tried to keep up with him but Mathieu was clever. I remember one match in particular at Carcassonne where the fans are known to be hostile and he was applauded for a very technical manoeuvre. “He wasn’t far from being selected.”

But you only kept him for one season:

Libourne Saint-Seurin  came to see him playing at least eight times. There he was also quickly liked by the public. Personally, I have never worked with such a young person so technically brilliant. Mathieu had a high level.  He knew how to take advantage of his size. He is brilliant at wrong footing.

Does he amaze you?

Yes. He has a very high level.  I am surprised by the way he has asserted himself in Marseille. From the beginning, he has put himself to the front. He has also surprised me with the level of his defensive work  when he is aligned on the right-hand side,  even if this is not what he prefers. I did not consider him capable of having such a varied game over just ninety minutes.

According to you, can Mathieu aim even higher?

He is not far from the French team.  He is capable of much more. By playing next to players such  as Nasri and Cissé, it is evident that he is almost at their level. With Mathieu, nothing is impossible. He has the mentality necessary. He likes the buzz.

Didier THOLOT “ I see him in a big European club”

Mathieu’s Libourne Saint-Seurin trainer during the season 2005/2006

It was under Didier THOLOT, at Libourne Saint-Seurin that Mathieu proved himself and boosted his career. For his former mentor, Mathieu can go even higher.

Didier THOLOT, Can you speak to us about Mathieu VALBUENA who you managed at Libourne Saint-Seurin for one season?

Mathieu is a person who does not take many things by half. When he decides on something, he does it properly. When I took the libourne team in hand, he was not playing. I saw him playing on one occasion. After a few trainings, I understood at once: Mathieu would be the craftsman of our success. I therefore had to build a team around him.

According to you, what are his main qualities?

He is explosive, very technical and possesses a sense of purpose. He has a great faculty to eliminate his opponents in a small perimeter. Physically, he has an excellent aerobic maximal speed thus making him strong on the endurance side of the game.

What does he still have to improve to aim higher ?

He corrects his errors little by little. In Libourne, he kept the ball too much. He wanted to be everywhere. If he had been able to get the ball in position six, or dribble around everybody, he would have done it! He was not good in putting up people for the goal either. He also had to learn to be more effective.

“The French team? I believe he can do it”

Are you surprised by his success  at Olympic of Marseille ?

When the different clubs were looking at Mathieu, the two of us had many talks. I advised him at once to go to OM. He has a game that sets the velodrome stadium on fire. You need a certain mentality to play at OM and Mathieu has that. I am not surprised by what he has done there.

Where can he go next?

He can go even higher. He could have a very big career in France or abroad. I can easily see him in a large European club.

And the French team? Could he get there?

I think so, but probably not for the moment. You know, Mathieu has a specific game that is evolving behind an advanced attacking position. There are already many players in this position, in the French team.

Gerets “Mathieu has become a great player”

Mathieu’s trainer in Marseille since September, 2007

Since his arrival in Marseille, Eric Gerets has fallen under the charm of Mathieu. For the Belgian technician, Mathieu has considerably evolved, and could even become indispensable.

Eric Gerets, You noticed Mathieu when you arrived at Olympic of Marseille. What was the boy you discovered ?

Every player has to prove he deserves his place on the team during the course of the season. For this, it is necessary to have your feet firmly on the ground and a good mentality. The "little one" (nickname given by Gerets to Mathieu) has both. And he has enormous talent.

What is the main thing he brings to the team?

He is extremely mobile. My decision was to put him in the main line, to give him more game. He needs to learn to turn his back to the goal. He is very quick at turning, from one side to the other. He can lead a game but he is not a natural leader. He can play on the right, but he is better and plays a much better game on the direct line. If you want to get 100 % out of him, it is necessary to put him in a central position. He likes to have the ball.

What part of his game does he need to improve?

He sometimes runs where it should not, but he has improved enormously since I arrived. But nevertheless he needs to remain more calm in certain situations. He is already much better.

“He deserves respect”

What is his position with OM?

Mathieu has become a very important player for the team. Now, I have three players who can evolve on the main attacking line. For me, he is on the same level as Djibril Cissé and Mamadou Niang. He is not very big, but he has become a big player. He is a player who deserves respect.

 

Mathieu, does he deserve to be selected for the French team  now or in the near future?

We will have to be careful. I don’t want to intervene in the selections. If he is taken, so much the better, but it is not up  to me to say if he should or should not be selected. I have to be careful not to say too much about  Mathieu, otherwise people will start to think  that he is my son (smiles).