Gael Clichy Interview - PUMA
On set for the shoot of his new PUMA evoSPEED 1, we landed a quick Q A with French full-back Gael Clichy. Clichy is approaching ten years in the English Premier League, but just his first full season lacing-up PUMA boots, and here we catch up with Gael to talk all things football...
From scoring goals like Thierry Henry to the enigmatic talent of Mario Balotelli, Clichy gives us insightful views from a Premier League player. Along with divulging how the relationship between himself and PUMA is flourishing, with Clichy a big fan of the on and off pitch gear.
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You've worn the Evospeed for some time, do they rate up there as the best boot you've worn? Gael Clichy: Yes, I like them very much. The guys at PUMA have done a great job to make this boot the way it is, they are light and they are very strong, so I don t need to change them a lot, which is good for me because I don t like changing. I only change boots when a new colour comes out. I really enjoy playing with this boot and hopefully I can win something with them this year. That would be great for me and PUMA as well.Do they help your manoeuvrability, your agility and speed on the pitch? GC: I think so yes, that is the way I feel, but I would have to ask the manager about this to be sure. I feel good in them and that is the main thing really. As long as you feel good in your boots and you feel comfortable, you cannot ask for more. To tell you if I am faster or more agile, I don t know, I would speak to Mancini to see what he thinks. |
Best thing about working with PUMA?
GC: The guys at PUMA are really cool. They try to make everything for me as simple as possible and listen to what we say about the boots when they are testing the new products, which I really respect. I am only waiting for them to give me some white shoes, because I like them. The brand itself is great and the clothes are good as well. There are some brands where it is difficult to wear them during the day, everyday. But PUMA is really good and my family likes it as well.
Is there belief within the team that you can still retain the Premier League title?
GC: Yes, because we have done it last year with 8 points behind and six games to go. It is not going to be simple and of course we would have preferred to be 12 points ahead than behind. But we still have 12 games to go and it is possible. Of course we have to take game after game and make sure we get the three points in each of these games, but the feeling is that we can still catch United. It is going to be hard, but if we play the way we know we can play, we have a chance still.
8 years between your first and second Premier League title. Which title meant the most?
GC: Arsenal was a special one, because it was my first professional trophy in my first professional year and we didn t lose one game in the whole season, which was really special. But I was only playing in 12 or 13 games, while with City last year I played 30 games throughout the whole season in the Premier League. So last year I was a big part of this accomplishment and as a player that is what you want, being part of something and the feeling that you did it and not being one of the players that just play a few games, because they are always injured perhaps. Both of the seasons are really different, but if I had to choose I would take the one from City, because I have been a more important player and played most of the games.
You've got most of the summer off this year with no International tournament, how will you spend your time?
GC: First I will probably spend two weeks with the national team, because we are going to Brazil as we have two games there, which is good. It is nice to be with the boys and to get prepared for the World Cup in Brazil and Brazil is a good destination. But I also feel that sometimes you really need one summer to cut off because you can feel the tiredness at the end of the season, so after that I am just going to stay with the family, because I don t see them a lot, to see my little brother, my nieces and nephews. I only see them about two weeks during the season, so the more time I spend with them, the better it is.
Will the Man City dressing room miss Mario Balotelli?
GC: Yes, I think everyone in Manchester will miss Mario. I am sure the newspaper writers around the training ground are not making as much money as they did when Mario was there, that is one thing. But he was a great guy and a lot of players really liked him, when we are in in London and when he decided to leave we said good-bye, I could tell it had a big impact on some of the players. So for sure we will miss him, but that is the way it is and tomorrow it could be another player, that is the way football is and we have to accept it.
Do your team-mates ever give you any stick for your goalscoring record, are goals something you'd like to add to your game?
GC: Yes of course. If I could score goals like Thierry Henry, of course I would take it. It is not my job and hopefully we have enough quality upfront at City to score goals, that I don t need to score. But yes, it is a nice feeling and if I could add some goals, it would be great. But I am not really bothered about this and as long as the team is playing well and as long as the manager is happy with my performances, then I am happy with it. Scoring goals is more like a bonus. Of course you receive a lot of text messages when you score a goal, but no I am not bothered really.
You get a fair few assists…
GC: Yes, well, if you cannot score you try to contribute in other ways and as a fullback you need to give assists and to add to your team going forward. But the first job is to defend and as long as I defend well I am happy and if I can add more goals moving forward, that would be great.
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You've spent almost a decade living in England now, what are the best and worst things about living here?
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Gael Clichy wears the PUMA evoSPEED 1 football boots. Share your opinions on Clichy and PUMA online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
