A Chat With: Steven Joseph-Monrose

By: Xavier | July 29th, 2009

Steven Joseph-Monrose, 19, Lens prodigy dubbed “la perle de la Gaillette”, scored his first goal with the pros, Saturday, against Nice (1-1). He doesn’t hide his ambitions…(Here is the translated interview from La Voix Du Nord).

Steven Joseph-Monrose, last season, you made your first appearance with the youngsters of La Gaillete. Is it important for you, to be one of the leaders of the young Lensois?
“It was a pleasure to represent other young professionals. When you are at the training center, there is still a little impatience to discover the highest level of football. But I also can’t allow it to go to my head. Here, in Lens, there’s really very good young players. If the doors open up on the first team, I must give it my all.”

Last season you had experienced a physical decline during the second part of the season. How do you explain that?
“It wasn’t until late December. I expected to resume with the pro squad in January but I ended up with the reserves instead. I always had a spot open in January-February but last season, I played many matches with the CFA 18s. I didn’t give up. I fought. I think we all need moments like that. I was disappointed because I couldn’t give the best of myself to the club but today, I feel very good both physically and mentally. ”

How are you prepared at this time?
“It didn’t take very long. I’ve had only ten days of vacation time. I participated in the final of the 18 year olds with Lens. We won the title, so. Then I played with the 20 year olds for Team France at the Mediterranean Games. And I’ve since taken up with the pro squad. For the moment, everything is going great. My twenty minutes at Nice were also pretty good. If I can play a bit more in the last few friendly matches I will be set. ”

Against Nice, you scored the only goal of the match. Did you also score some points?
“I don’t know. Its true that scoring goals is always a good thing but I’m not going to let it go to my head or anything. I showed coach a little of what I could do, I did, even though it was twenty minutes of play. Hey, I have ambitions, no doubt. But we shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves. For now, I’m finally in the world of the pros, and no doubt, its a New World. ”