Media 30 July 2024, 15:31

George Ilenikhena: "I'll take whatever there is to take"

Having arrived last Thursday from Royal Antwerp, the new AS Monaco striker spoke at a press conference, discussing in particular his integration and his ambitions.

He is the first recruit of the Monaco summer. He joined last week from Royal Antwerp where he scored 14 goals at the age of 17, and George Ilenikhena has already participated in several training sessions, before perhaps making his debut tomorrow (7:30 p.m.), in a friendly away to Feyenoord. The new Rouge et Blanc striker spoke at a press conference, alongside General Manager Thiago Scuro. 🎙️

As you know, our philosophy is to invest in young players with high potential, with the aim of developing them. We have followed George's progress over the last two years, whether in Ligue 2 in France or last year in Belgium. We are therefore very happy that he has chosen AS Monaco to continue his development. His is a profile that interested us a lot, he has a very good mentality and above all great ambition, like us.

Thiago ScuroOn the choice to sign George Ilenikhena

On his knowledge of AS Monaco

I know that AS Monaco is a very big club with a lot of ambition, and I am that way too. That’s why I came here. I want to work hard and I want to have a great season. The Club will be participating in the Champions League this season. It’s a great competition and that convinced me even more to come here. With the players in the team, we can have a great season.

His integration into the Club

I was very well received by everyone at the Club, both the players and the staff. I don’t know everything here yet so they are helping me to adapt more easily, especially regarding meal times at the Performance Center. In any case, I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and working with them.

Reuniting with Kassoum Ouattara and Eliot Matazo

It’s true I know Kassoum well from Amiens since we played together at the training center and with the first team. He knows me very well and knows the runs I make. So far, it has worked well between us. I was also able to meet Eliot in Antwerp during his loan. I was able to speak to them both by text before my arrival and they explained to me in particular that it was a very good club for young people.

Le travail commence pour George 👊#WelcomeIlenikhena pic.twitter.com/zXAqFVfZ9S

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 25, 2024

The role of Adi Hütter in his joining

Before signing for AS Monaco, I actually had the opportunity to talk with him. We were able to discuss the project he had for me, it’s something I really liked. He told me that if I was good, I would be able to play and continue to progress in this team. That made me want to come even more.

There is often the temptation to compare, when you have to replace a player like for like. We must respect what Wissam Ben Yedder did at Monaco, but these are two very different players. Today, we want to see the best version of George emerge with AS Monaco, and for him to be successful with the Club. We already have two very high-quality players in this position, with Folarin Balogun and Breel Embolo.

Thiago ScuroOn the profile of George Ilenikhena

His style of play

I am a player who likes to find space and drop back. I also try to be present in the box. These are qualities that I have demonstrated in the past and I want to show it again. For that, I came here to play and help the team achieve its objectives. I’ll take everything there is to take.

468 minuten over alle competities heen. 7 doelpunten. Een goal om de 66 minuten. George Ilenikhena! ⚽🔥 pic.twitter.com/8HQVvpmztb

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) December 11, 2023

Scoring against Barça

It was a very emotional moment. For now, it is the best goal of my career because it was scored in the Champions League, it is not just any competition. But that is in the past, I am now focusing on the coming season, and I hope there will be others.

Competition in attack

I already faced some tough competition when I was playing in Antwerp with the presence of Vincent Janssen in attack (22 caps with the Netherlands, editor’s note). So I’m prepared for this and I’m going to give my all to convince the coach to let me play.

Pour bien finir la journée, retrouvez les images du retour à l'entrainement de Denis Zakaria & Breel Embolo 🇨🇭🔙 pic.twitter.com/ol7wiZaTLf

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 29, 2024

His familiarity with Ligue 1

Ligue 1 is a very competitive league where you can see a mix of young talents and very experienced players. The intensity is higher than what I experienced in Belgium, things move faster. It will be up to me to adapt to show my qualities.