Alidu, you're continuing your adventure with Stade Rennais F.C., which is a great sign of mutual trust.
It's a huge honour to have extended my contract with the club and to be continuing this great adventure. I'm delighted. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me feel good at Rennes, the staff, the directors and my team-mates. I'd also like to thank the fans, who are always there.
How did you cope with the injury, given that you were a key member of the team?
I was doing really well at the start of the season. This injury stopped me in my tracks and it's up to me to be strong mentally to overcome it. I'm at the top of my game mentally, I'm well supported and I'm still smiling. I've started racing again and that's a joy, but you have to accept that you have to go step by step and listen to the Doc'. I'd like to thank all those involved in my rehabilitation, especially Guillaume (Testu), Romaric (Boch) and Thomas (Choinard).
« I'm happy with the level I was able to reach before my injury and the aim is to get back there quickly. »
It came at a time when you were making steady progress...
When I arrived a year ago, Guéla Doué was playing some very good matches. The fact that he played at that level helped me to progress. I had to work twice as hard in training. I'm happy with the level I was able to reach before my injury and the aim is to get back there quickly. When you're part of a club like Rennes, you can't help but give it your all. I always make sure that the staff are happy with me, and I've always given my all when I've been given the opportunity to be on the pitch.
And you've made your versatility an asset for the different staffs you've worked with.
I'm available to the club, so I play where I'm asked to play, without preference. The important thing is to bring my qualities to the group, to be present. Whether it's on the right, the left or in the middle.
You too experienced the transition to the new sports building in February, an ideal tool for getting back into shape.
The new building is really good quality and our working conditions are excellent. We have everything we need to work and progress, but we have to be demanding with ourselves. I'm delighted to be able to take advantage of it.
« I see a very positive spirit »
Even though you're injured, you're not on the sidelines. How is it going at the moment?
Despite a few bumps in the road in terms of results, there have also been some very good games since the start of the year. I see a very positive spirit. The team is really committed and you can feel the positive energy. So the aim is to finish the season well and quickly move on to goals that match Stade Rennais'.
Djaoui Cissé, Jérémy Jacquet, Kader Meïté, it's also about youth taking power.
Djaoui, Jérémy, Kader, and JJ too, bring a lot of freshness to the group. They've shown their qualities in training and that's not really surprising for us. Our role is to encourage them and support their progress. I'm very happy to see their development. I scolded Djaoui (laughs) a little while ago for taking too many yellow cards, but that's part of his learning curve and he needs to keep up the momentum.
The “positive” side of this injury, if you can call it that, is that you can enjoy your family more, especially your son, at this time.
My son is eleven months old now, he's from Brittany, he was born when I arrived in Rennes. With this injury, I've been able to settle down and enjoy things with him. That's a positive aspect, it's true. When you're on the pitch, you don't necessarily see everything that's going on off it. Being on the sidelines makes me realise that.
