I generally try to avoid all transfer chat (i.e. the silly season) but one of the good things that comes out of it – from a translator’s point of view – is that there are plenty of interviews to get stuck into once transfers are confirmed.
France international Jonathan Clauss joined Olympique de Marseille from Racing Club de Lens this week and starred in the obligatory new signing video, which was mainly an interview carried out by the club’s media team but also featured some ‘behind-the-scenes/day-in-the-life-of’ footage.
Here’s what came out of it (includes compulsory words such as ‘proud, ‘honoured’, ‘dream’ and ‘project’):
How does it feel to have signed for Olympique de Marseille?
I’m incredibly proud to have joined one of French football’s most legendary clubs. I’m unbelievably proud and honoured to have the chance to pull on this shirt.
What does OM mean to you?
OM represents French football across the globe. I think when people around the world speak about the French league, they all know OM and when they speak about the French league, OM is one of the main talking points. That’s what it means to me and I think to everyone who follows French football.
What convinced you to join OM from Lens?
Everything. The size of the club, its values, the project. So many things have been put in place that made me want to join the club. For me, it was a very logical decision.
You’ve had a great 2022 (national team call-ups, the move to OM). How have you dealt with that?
I take things one day at a time. I don’t look any further ahead than tomorrow or get carried away. I just try to savour every moment and assess it immediately afterwards. It’s a chain of events that makes you grow and teaches me how to manage things everyday. It’s all good.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
On a personal level, I want to do at least as well as I did with Lens last season. And get at least as many caps for France. I’ve had a good run in the squad and I want to prove that I’m there because I deserve to be and that I’ve got the qualities to do it. It’s up to me to show it and I know that I’m capable. I’m going to do everything I can to show it.
Did you speak to any players or the manager before signing?
I spoke mostly with the president, who called me a lot. I really identified with what he said, we’re similar in many ways, so it seemed normal.
Are you excited about playing in the Champions League this season?
Is that a serious question?! Of course, it’s one of life’s dreams. I don’t think that anyone could want it more than I do.
Tell us about the journey from France’s lower league’s to the Vélodrome.
It’s a journey that had a lot of lows at the beginning, with lots of disappointments, anger, uncertainty and tears. There were some happy moments which were far too short. But there was also a moment of realisation that helped me make some good choices, with the help of the people around me. I started to develop in the right way by taking things in hand and with the support of others. I started to understand that football is a job and not just for fun, and that you have to make a lot of sacrifices if you want to make it. You need to believe, you need to work hard, but mostly you need to believe. That’s what made it happen.