The young Alexi Koum, trained at the Olympique de Marseille, spoke on the club’s official website about his debut with the first team. Launched in the big bath last December against the AS Saint-Étienne, the 18-year-old side keeps its feet on the ground while measuring the scope of this first appearance in Ligue 1.

It was Roberto De Zerbi, OM coach, who decided to get Koum in front of the ASSE. The Italian technician justified this choice by a rational decision, stating that he did not “gift to anyone” and simply chose “the one that seemed to him the best solution at that time”. A clear message that marked the main interested: “It’s a pleasure. It shows that if we work, we can have a chance.”

This entry in the game symbolizes an important step for Koum, who now rubs himself with the requirement of high level daily. In training, he meets experienced players such as Valentin Rongier, Adrien Rabiot and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. A precious proximity according to him: “Contrary to what we can think, they are rather close to us. They advise us in many areas: food, life outside, sleep. They have an experience we don’t have, even beyond football.”

The native of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges also insists on the rigor of the sessions led by De Zerbi: “There is a great demand in training. De Zerbi is very demanding with all, young and old. It takes a lot of quality and tries to get us to work mentally so we’re always focused.” The player also evokes development matches against foreign clubs such as Arsenal or Leicester, which allow young elements to compete against high-level opponents.

Determined, Koum plans on the sequel with ambition: “My goal is simple: to continue working, to have other entries in play and to be effective when I enter the field. It was just a first step, and I want to go beyond my original dream.”

Alexi Koumincarne thus one of the promises of the Marseille training centre, in a context where demand and competition are high.