In another reality, Lamine Camara would be preparing for the Hull City reception (this Saturday, 4 p.m.) under the orders of Xabi Alonso. His transfer in the very last hours of the transfer window for €55 million allowed Chelsea to replace the departure of Enzo Fernandez for Manchester City. Obviously, this is a uchronia. The Senegalese ultimately remained on the Rock, but he was still on the verge of committing to the Blues. The last day of the completely crazy transfer window hampered his ambitions due to the about-face of Thiago Scuro, the sporting director, and the Balogun file, who did not move from the club either.
“It was a bit of a hectic and difficult time. But it’s part of a player’s life. I tried to remain professional so as not to think too much about it and turn the page, to quickly focus on the match that was coming up in Paris (September 4, 2-1 victory). Once it passed, there was no point in thinking about it», recalls the 22-year-old player at a press conference this Friday. In the absence of Hull City, he will travel to Strasbourg with ASM this Saturday (5:15 p.m.) for the 4th day of Ligue 1. Obviously disappointed at not having taken a new step in his career, Camara quickly got his head back on track. His departure is only postponed.
“There was this possibility that I would leave, but it didn’t happen at the last minute»
“What if I wanted to go to Chelsea? To say that now would be to suggest that I am no longer in the present with the teamreplies the person concerned. Yes, there was that possibility that I would leave, but it didn’t happen at the last minute. These are things that happen. I take the example of Julian Alvarez with Atletico Madrid. It happens all over the world and I try to turn this page as quickly as possible to focus on the season.» His very good performances against OM (2-1) and at the Parc des Princes (2-1) the last two weekends suggest that he immediately reintegrated into Filipe Luis’ group, who holds him in very high esteem.
Barring an accident or injury, the train will probably come back next time. “ If he doesn’t come back, it will be because I gave up or I didn’t work hard enough.warns the Senegalese international, determined to maintain his level of performance. If I continue like this, I know I can help the team perform well. Football moves quickly and maybe other chances will come. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season. » He can count on the support of his coach, and his teammates like Deniz Zakaria, “ the big brother » or even Eric Dier. In the end, between the transfer window and the World Cup, Lamine Camara will have gained a lot of experience during the summer. “ These are deadlines that helped me grow in football, to be hard on myself “.
