He is a player apart, able to evolve in all positions in the middle, on the sides, to strike with both right and left feet, to run fast and for a very long time.
“It's world class,” says Niko Kovac, his trainer, of Aleksandr Golovin.
The coach presents his player as "a rookie" since his return to grace, in two and a half seasons in Monaco, he could not reveal all of his immense talent, due to two big injuries (ankle and thigh) .
"He played bad luck, he is by no means a fragile player," say those around him.
In 2018, “Golo” arrives on the Rock after a sparkling World Cup.
He is the first Russian player to sign under the governance of Dmitri Rybolovlev, the fact of the prince and a significant investment, in the order of 30 million euros.
The leaders are doing everything to facilitate the integration of the native of Kaltan, a city located in the west of Siberia, who then speaks neither English nor French.
Golovin speaks on the pitch, where he gets everyone to agree from his first training session at La Turbie.
“What is this phenomenon?
“, Had thus released, in July 2018, the executives of the group, subjugated by the exceptional qualities of this player with the technique so silky.
But during his second session, Golovin suffered a serious ankle injury.
Last August, a tear in the thigh in Metz kept him away from the field for more than four months.
An eternity, Kovac having done everything not to rush his return to competition.
Low and head high socks
“The team was not going too badly, it was easier to manage.
If Monaco had been in difficulty, it would have replayed more quickly, ”said someone close to the group.
"Doctors said to be very careful with your injury," says Kovac.
I was disappointed to have to wait because its impact on a match is high.
But he can bring a lot at the end of the season.
"As often since he took over from Robert Moreno last summer, the Croatian technician has hit the nail on the head and perfectly managed the Golovin case," one of the stars of the group, a gold mine, who can make a difference anytime, ”according to one club member.
As proof, upon his return to Ligue 1, Golovin scored in Lorient four minutes after coming into play. The following match, he came off the bench to sign two assists from a corner against OM.
Then comes his recital in Nîmes, at the beginning of February, with a hat-trick and an assist for Volland.
A true masterpiece signed by this artist with low socks and high head.
“Golo is a good guy, we talk a lot together on and off the pitch,” says the German international.
He's a fantastic player.
"With him, we have an extra strength", supports Aurélien Tchouaméni, to whom Golovin offered his first goal in the Monegasque jersey.
Under contract until 2024 with ASM, the Russian international, now able to understand French and close to Gelson Martins in the locker room, appreciates the living environment and the tranquility in the Principality, where he lives with his partner.
Preserved in the last two games, this fan of strategy video games postulates a return to the eleven for the reception of Brest.
Another asset in the race for the Champions League, which he dreams of finding in the princely jersey.
