Aurélien Tchouaméni left for Real Madrid, Monaco has long sought how to replace his precious midfielder before setting his sights on the duo Youssouf Fofana-Mohamed Camara, who, if he is not sure of starting in the Europa League against Ferencvaros this Thursday (6.45 p.m.), is the new base for the Principality's team.
Elimination in the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven had exposed the flaws in the midfield of the club from Le Rocher and sporting director Paul Mitchell had been criticized for not having found an alternative solution before this double confrontation.
However, since the arrival of the Malian Mohamed Camara from Salzburg, everything is different.
The Fofana-Camara duo is about to make people forget the one that Fofana formed with Tchouameni,
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“
They are impressive, they are everywhere, they are duplicated
,” enthused striker Krepin Diatta.
At the start of the market, Mitchell inquired about the Malian, from the Red Bull galaxy which he knows perfectly.
But the 30 million euros requested did not correspond, according to him, to market prices.
A standoff ensued, knowing that the player had chosen Monaco.
The operation was finally carried out barely a month ago.
Camara came for half the price.
But with a truncated preparation, since he had not played pre-season, and in a team eliminated from the race for the Champions League.
Despite this delay, Mitchell was sure of his shot.
"
Camara was born a leader, he assured when he came.
He has always been a captain in his teams.
He has won a lot.
These strengths and his competitive spirit will match with the group.
»
Opponents at the U20 World Cup
Quickly, Camara seduced on and off the field.
“
Mo is an open player, always with a smile, like Breel (Embolo), underlines Diatta.
We welcomed them and helped them.
"
It's true that Mo, whom I had seen in the Champions League, does good with his energy and his performance
," continues his partner in the middle, Fofana.
At 22 and 23, the two men, who faced each other on May 31, 2019 in the 3rd pool match of the U20 World Cup (3-2 for France), now form the new Monaco stabilizer duo.
If, like Axel Disasi, Fofana was shortlisted for the France team, he owes it to the performances achieved with Camara.
“
I don't think Didier Deschamps is giving away
,” smiles coach Philippe Clement.
"
My goal is to do 90 clean minutes
, ”explains Fofana, excluded at the start of the match against Rennes on the second day.
"
I feel good," he continues.
But my performance must be better.
I have to improve mentally and in consistency in a match.
We are five midfielders: Magassa, Lucas, Matazo, Camara and me.
We push each other.
But I understand that we are talking about the duo we form with Mo Camara.
»
On the ground, even their partners appreciate.
“
When at the end of the match, you see them running, sprinting everywhere, you feel that they are physically ready
”, launches Diatta.
The duo, however, has just played five matches in a fortnight.
Clement remains vigilant and is not sure to line them up on Thursday against Ferencváros.
“
We control their freshness by objective and subjective statistics, blood tests, careful observation of training, specifies Clement.
I also count on the honesty of the players in case of fatigue.
So far, neither has failed.
And if Clement admits to being "
surprised by Camara's ability to chain up
", he is less surprised by Fofana.