Club 02 February 2021, 17:26

Krépin Diatta: "I feel like I've been here for years"

On the eve of his first derby at the Stade Louis-II (9 p.m. behind closed doors), the Senegalese international winger was introduced to the press along with Oleg Petrov and Paul Mitchell.

He arrived from Club Brugge almost two weeks ago. After coming on in the win against Olympique de Marseille (a 3-1 win), Krépin Diattahad his first start in Ligue 1 against Nantes (a 2-1 win) this Sunday. Ahead of his first derby against OGC Nice (9 p.m. behind closed doors), the new Monegasque number 27 was presented to the press on Tuesday, alongside Vice-President/CEO Oleg Petrov, as well as Sporting Director Paul Mitchell. It was an opportunity for him to give his first impressions of his arrival in the Principality, and to discuss his ambitions with the Rouge et Blanc.

We are very happy to welcome Krépin Diatta to AS Monaco. He is a player who has shown a lot of quality in Belgium and who has shown that he is a player with great potential. He has already played more than 100 matches, including a few dozen matches in Europe. He is a player who will help the team not only this season but in the long term.

Oleg PetrovVice President/CEO

His style of play

I would first like to thank Oleg Petrov, Paul Mitchell and Niko Kovac for their trust in me. I am a wide player, who likes to get at opponents directly who likes to contribute on the attacking side of things but also works hard defensively, in the service of the team.

Comparisons with Sadio Mané

I don’t think you can compare me to him. But Sadio is like a big brother to me. We are very close, he inspires me a lot and I follow his example. I want to write my own story. I think he is an example for all young Senegalese players of course. He is a role model for us.

Two bookings in two matches

(Smiles) Usually I’m not a player who gets a lot of cards but I am a committed player who gives everything on the pitch. This is football, I will make sure to be careful going forward so as not to be penalized again.

I think every player has personal goals. But I would like to be part of the club’s goals, because I’m coming to AS Monaco in the middle of the season. I’m an attacking player so it’s normal that I think I want to score and provide assists. But above all, I want to help the team to go as high as possible.

Krépin Diatta

On the competition for places

Competition is everywhere. When I arrived in Bruges, I was also in this situation. What I have to do is work on a daily basis to show my qualities. I think that’s a positive aspect, actually I prefer there to be more competition. I like challenges.

On its objectives

A competitor for PSG?

Monaco is a big club. Today we’re three points behind PSG, but I think we really need to keep working hard from our side of things. I know that I’ve joined an ambitious club, which wants to return to the top of French football. But we must continue to work with humility before aiming for the top.

There are players that I saw on TV 5-6 years ago. It's a good thing to have these kinds of players working by my side. I've arrived in a locker room where everyone is open, I really feel like I've been here for years.

Krépin Diatta

His being welcomed to the group

There are players that I saw on TV 5-6 years ago. It’s a good thing to have these kinds of players working by my side. I’ve arrived in a locker room where everyone is open, I really feel like I’ve been here for years. I think I’m lucky to be here, alongside such great and talented players.

The pace of training

I experienced the same in Bruges. Everything is done through working hard on a daily basis. AS Monaco are a club that wants to aim higher, so it makes sense that the training sessions are so intense. I like this.

The arrival of Krépin Diatta is good news for the team in the short term, but he is also a long-term investment. He is a player who has played more than 100 matches in his young career, and who is already a Senegalese international. When we analyzed his performances, we found that he is a very intriguing player in terms of his dribbling, in his workrate, in his lack of selfishness.

Paul MitchellSporting Director

Oleg Petrov, Vice-President/CEO:

Paul Mitchell, Sporting Director:

Another transfer window is coming to an end. As you have seen, we have worked in the same way, trying to improve the quality of our squad again. The arrival of Krépin Diatta is good news for the team in the short term, but he is also a long-term investment. He is a player who has played more than 100 matches in his young career, and who is already a Senegalese international. When we analyzed his performances, we found that he is a very intriguing player in terms of his dribbling, in his workrate, in his lack of selfishness. And he is also the type of player that can bring his qualities to bear in the style of play proposed by the coach, which requires a certain investment from the players at the defensive level. Once again we are delighted with his arrival. Welcome Krépin!