We can expect everything, but the transfer window finds a way to surprise us every year. Always, all the time. For our defense, foreseeing the unpredictable remains above our abilities. So the moment Samuel Umtiti officially signed up with Lecce this summer, almost everyone fell out of their chairs. Even in the city of Puglia, it was very difficult to realize that a world champion was going to land in a team barely promoted in Serie A. And yet, everything was true. Yes, the 28-year-old French defender was convinced by the speech of the Giallorossi. And yes, this is the place he chose to breathe new life into a career that had been in decline for years.
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A gradual return
In this town of about 100.00 inhabitants, Umtiti rediscovers peace and quiet. There, in Lecce, he feels loved and understood. “It is a beautiful city, ideal for living and playing football“, he summarized during a press conference organized last week. And he more than appreciated the attitude of his new club, which did not want to put pressure on him for the start of season. “He needed time upon his arrival to adapt and regain his physical condition, entrusts us with a leader of the promoted. At the time of the negotiations, we had just reached an agreement for a program which aims to bring him back to the top. Even if it is only a dry loan, we have decided to wait for it without rushing itAs a result, the Lyonnais quietly observed his teammates during the first six days following his arrival.
Behind the scenes, meanwhile, he continued to work hard. Before receiving the green light and being able to officially start his season on the lawn of the Olimpico against Roma on October 9th. “I had been preparing for this tenure for a long timehe confirmed at a press conference. I just needed time. It was a very nice moment despite the defeat (…) My goal now is to be important for the team and get back to my form of three years ago.”
The day after his debut, the specialized site Pianeta Lecce hailed the performance of the French international: “we immediately see his personality in the middle of the defense. He throws himself fearlessly into duels, repels dangerous balls and shows his quality in the raises. A more than encouraging first game.” “He had a good gameconfirmed his trainer Marco Baroni. Samuel came here with great humility. He worked a lot for weeks to regain his physical condition (…) He worked in silence while fully understanding our reality. I say congratulations to him.”
Was Umtiti approached by DD?
Little by little, therefore, Umtiti is gaining momentum. After Rome, he has just had a second start against Fiorentina (1-1) on Monday, certainly less convincing than the first. More mistakes, less security, anyone who broke their gait in 2018 knows that the path is still long and winding. Too much to consider getting a ticket to Qatar within a month? Most likely. “What is important for me is to start playing again and to feel useful for my team. I did a lot of things for the Blues, like winning the World Cup. But the most important today is Lecce (…) Going from Barcelona to here? A question of mentality (…) I had injuries that forced me to start from scratch. You need to go forward“, he replied to journalists. But for his part, Pantaleo Corvino, the technical director of Lecce, went a little further.
“Samuel was approached by the coach of the France team for the World Cuphe revealed. It makes understand the consideration that there is around him“However, the hero of the France – Belgium semi-final has not been recalled since 2019 and his return still seems rather unlikely in the list of Didier Deschamps, who can register up to 26 names. But if the injuries continue to follow one another as they have for months, a reversal of the situation cannot be completely ruled out.
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