Ansu Fati: "Find continuity at AS Monaco" | OneFootball

Officially a Monegasque player since Tuesday, the Spanish winger was presented to journalists alongside the General Manager, Thiago Scuro, and his future teammates Eric Dier and Paul Pogba.

He joins a long list of players who have played for AS Monaco and Barça. Having trained at La Masia, where he made 123 professional appearances and broke several records in terms of his precicocity, Ansu Fati is thus the 17th such player to also join the ranks of the Principality club. After signing on Tuesday, the Spanish winger was presented to the press Thursday, alongside CEO Thiago Scuro.🎙️

His decision to join Monaco

I’m very happy to be here, and I’d like to thank the club for placing their trust in me. From the very first contact with AS Monaco, I knew I wanted to come here. I’m eager to show what I can do, but I’m not out for revenge; I just want to play football.

I was given this opportunity, which I seized, and I would like to give the best I can to this club. I hope to experience great things at AS Monaco. (On the Spanish national team) Of course, I would like to return, but everything will depend on my performances here.

On his recruitment process

I spoke with my agent, who told me about AS Monaco’s interest. It’s a team that believed in me and presented things to me clearly. I had the opportunity to speak with the coach, who explained to me what he expected. For my part, I told him what I could bring. Finally, Carlos Aviña and Thiago Scuro convinced me with their reasoning, that’s why I signed.

His past experience at Brighton

Playing at Brighton was a positive experience, even if some may think differently. Unfortunately, I was injured, so I wasn’t able to maintain the continuity I’d hoped for. I’d like to rediscover that here at AS Monaco, to try to be in the best possible shape. I can’t control everything that happens to my body, but I’m certainly trying to minimize the risks.

I’m definitely giving my all and fighting to get back to my best level. Of course, I’m here to find the best physical condition to play football; that’s what I’m trying to do.

We don't see his arrival as a gamble any different from any other player. It's a matter of adaptation, whether in training, or a conversation we can have with the player. We have to look at what we can give him and what he can improve with us. He's capable of playing in several positions. He's still a young player who has a lot of technical and individual qualities. However, it will be up to the coach to decide where to play him, but that will depend on the next few weeks. Decisions on this will be made later.

His move to Monaco

I’m lucky to have a big family, and I’m not that far from Barcelona. I’m going to start settling in here with my sister and brother; we’re already looking at apartments. If my parents want, they can join us later.

The Champions League mathch between AS Monaco and Barcelona

I remember we’d lost the match; it was a sad night for Barcelona. It was the first Champions League match of the season, and we wanted to win it. Unfortunately for us, AS Monaco played a great match; I could see that they were a great team.

The coach’s expectations of him

I had a discussion with the coach, but as the saying goes, what’s said in the locker room stays in the locker room (smiles). In any case, I’ll be at his disposal and I’ll do my best to help the team. On a personal level, I feel very good physically; I can play.

His opinion on Ligue 1

I consider Ligue 1 to be one of the best leagues in Europe; you only have to look at the last Champions League winner to see that. Every league is different, which is perfectly normal, but Ligue 1 has produced a lot of talent. Some of the best players in the world were trained in this league. Many people think the level is easy, but that’s not the case.

We have seen that he has undeniable dribbling skills, but that is not why he is here, as other players in the squad have this ability in 1-on-1 situations. With his arrival, we want to bring even more quality and options to the squad to help the coach achieve his objectives. As I said before, last winter was difficult for us with the back-to-back matches, so we want to strengthen the team to make it stronger. The conversation we had with him was for a long-term project. He spoke with Carlos Aviña and me. There are expectations, but we must create the conditions for him to express himself on the pitch.

His relationship with Lamine Yamal

I was able to play with him at Barça; we have a good relationship and are very close. We respect each other enormously and wish each other the best. This was also the case for everyone at the training center. I was able to work alongside excellent people at the club. However, every change is positive. I would like to thank Barcelona once again, the club where I grew up and took my first steps as a professional player.

Photo: Icon Sport

His view of PSG

PSG is a good team, we all know that. They just won the Champions League. We’re here to make their lives as difficult as possible; that’s our goal. I have friends and people I respect a lot within this team, like Luis Enrique, who gave me my national team debut, and I thank him for that. I also know Ousmane Dembélé, with whom I had some great times at Barça. I wish them the best, except against us (laughs).

On the arrival of Paul Pogba

Everyone knows what a player Paul Pogba is, I’m very happy he’s signed for AS Monaco. I think the whole of football is happy to see him back. He was one of the best players wherever he played, whether it was with his clubs or internationally. I hope we have a great year together to help position the Club where it needs to be again.

Seeing him here is a dream because he’s a player I’ve admired since I was little. When I was at La Masia, he was an idol for my friends and me, everyone talked about him and wanted to know as much as possible about him. So being able to play with him is something incredible and I hope to be able to enjoy it as much as possible.