Charles Itandje speaks out about the debacle at Lens

Little used in Liverpool after arriving two seasons ago, the former Lens iconic keeper Charles Itandje decided over the summer to leave the Reds to get more playing time elsewhere. And in the old Greek city of Kavala, near the sea, he finally put down his suitcases and hit the pitch. A fantastic choice it turns out, since the moderate club currently sits 5th in the league table and the former Lensois is drawing rave reviews for his goalkeeping exploits since his arrival in Greece.

Charles, how has your adjustment to Kavala been?
It’s pretty good, apart from the language which is very difficult to learn. But the club has done pretty well, despite our defeat over weekend.

You are currently 5th in the league table. What are your goals?
Staying up. The goal is to take as many points as possible until we can prove ourselves consistently. Some also speak of European places around here but we shall see about that later in the campaign. If it continues, things will look very good. We still lack a few weapons to be in the top three I think. But we are not far.

Of the five league games you’ve played three since you arrived when the season was already underway. It’s a good sign …
Yes, I played against Olympiakos away, and against two teams at home which forgive me but I don’t know their names. The last match was in the countryside, 5 hours trip, and a return through a swamp that smelled of sausages. It’s completely different, very exotic (laughs).

There are many former Ligue 1 players on your team (Ducrocq, Oruma, Douglao, Frederic Mendy). This should facilitate your integration?
Inevitably. Being alone in a country like this, it would have been much more complicated. Although everyone has his personal life off the field, when we see each other, we take pleasure in that.

What do you think of the Greek league?
There are good teams that play good football. But, tactically and physically, Ligue 1 is far superior.

And life there?
Well my routine, my free time, is simple: fishing, beach and boating … all with 27 degrees outside to boot. It’s nice, it’s a little holiday every day. Kavala is like a small Monaco.

You do not regret having gone there?
No. I am here and the team is doing very well, and I’m finally playing again. I’m here for now, so anything goes. Afterwards, we will see.

You are only on loan from Liverpool. Do you see yourself going back?
Not really, but I am under contract there.

And staying in Kavala?
We’ll see. If the team continues to do well and the management recruits some experienced players, why not? But for now, I came to find time to play and help the club establish itself. Before this season, they would never have envisioned bringing in players from Liverpool and Ligue 1.

In hindsight, do you think you made a mistake in going to Liverpool?
Not really. My situation was complicated at Lens, and I couldn’t stay there. I had already prolonged one season (2005-06) and bit the bullet for it. And then the offer from Liverpool, even as a backup, I couldn’t refuse it.

It seems you feel bitter towards Lens …
Well in that period, yes. I saw many things which I could not believe. The president Gervais Martel and the sporting director began to do whatever they wanted with no logic involved. It all started in December when they got rid of Jerome Leroy. A guy like that should never have been let go. After that, when we were competing for a champions league spot right behind Lyon others like Jussiê and Thomert also were let go. Seydou Keita, the best player in Ligue 1 at the time, also left at the end of the season. These moves alone, although problematic were only the beginning of the collapse. When the club was relegated to the second division, it hurt a lot, because Lens was the club which allowed me to thrive, so I was very attached. I did not think the end would be so tragic. But when I saw how Guillaume Warmuz left the scene, it was just history repeating itself … “.

Category: Interviews

Tags: charles itandje, Interviews, kavala, ligue 1, liverpool, racing club de lens

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