Additional bits not in the piece from Pierre Sage in the embargo section:
✅ On how he views Khalaili Gozo: “Khalaili is a better wing-back than 10. I consider Gozo more offensive, maybe a 10, or sometimes as a wing-back at the end of a game when we have to push. They are able to play both positions so it’s a good thing for us.”
🦅 On what attracted him to Palace: “First of all, it was about the league, to be really honest. After that, it’s a special club because it’s the only club with Ultras. I like to play for the fans and the players have to understand that, because they come to the stadium and want something - we have to give them that. The second thing is not about the club winning three trophies - I have respect for that but I don’t come for it - it’s a club with a big culture and I like that. There’s a history here, something special. You understand that when you enter the stadium and in the facilities. It’s really special for me - I like this kind of atmosphere.”
❤️ On his biggest challenge at Palace: “The biggest challenge is to win the hearts of the fans.”
🙏 On what to expect this season: “All is possible when you start with ambition and you give consistency to that ambition. This is why the first games are really important and we know the conditions we will play them in. We keep our ambition.”
😮 On when Palace approached him: “It was really before the Conference League final. I watched the games but with respect. I had no advanced discussions before this moment. But I watched as a potential future manager.”
🏨 On living in London: “We stayed one month in the hotel to find the best apartment for the family. The family are not with me but they will come. Every week my wife will come. What is important for me is to find a context where they are good because when they are good, I am good.”
⚖️ On managing the workload of the World Cup players: “We have to give them the energy to play maybe 30 or 60 minutes in the first steps and wean step by step after games. After the World Cup, they come with energy and they want to play more because some of them are really happy, like Pino because he is World Champion now - he’s able to do what we want. The others want to cancel what happened in the semi-finals because it’s difficult to live that and they want to change things and switch. That’s why the first session and first game are really important.”
#CPFC
🗣️ Pierre Sage's first press conference: No ego, refreshingly candid and the polar opposite of Oliver Glasner
🇧🇷 Franca still has a future at
#CPFC
🙏 'Incredible Doucoure' is stable
❌ Sarr not for sale
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