Mathieu Debuchy: “I didn’t expect it to be so difficult.” | OneFootball

In speaking to Le 11 Valenciennois, former Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy (36) has revealed that he didn’t expect his time at Ligue 2 side Valenciennes to be so difficult.

VAFC currently occupy 15th place, with a buffer of the three points to Rodez, who are currently set to play the relegation play-offs thanks to their 18th position. Having left Arsenal in January 2018 for Saint-Étienne, the former French international (27 caps) moved to Valenciennes last summer.

“When you see the squad, you think we should be doing much better, we’re worth a better position. We are Valenciennes and we work in top conditions, so much is done around the team for us to work well, for us to get good results. Unfortunately, it’s been a tough season and I didn’t expect it to be so difficult right until the end.”

With five games remaining this season, three of which will be against top-five teams, Valenciennes could well find themselves in a serious relegation battle.