Just because it interferes with your narrative and love-life with SR does not mean you have to be dismissive of this website and show contempt for the journalists; Just face the facts.I didn't hear you complaining when they reported favorably on Ben Chorley last year:
https://le11hdf-fr.translate.goog/ben-chorley-vafc-la-saison-prochaine-nous-serons-de-retour-en-ligue-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Ben Chorley (VAFC): “Next season we will be back in League 2”
The Editorial TeamApril 13, 2024
Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport
In a lengthy interview with the club, VAFC sporting director Ben Chorley took stock of the season. He took the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong, the infrastructure, recruitment and the future of VA.
The reasons for a catastrophic season
"There are many reasons for our relegation. We have to be honest, and from my point of view, mistakes were made. I think we took over a club we didn't really know. I've been involved in takeovers before, and until you're in the buildings, you don't really know what's under the floor, as they say. There are a lot of things to sort out, whether it's with the team, discipline, positions, or the people in the different departments. I would say, especially in terms of the organization and the commercial side, it was pretty empty; there weren't enough jobs. We had to rebuild a football club from the very first weeks."
Remarkable infrastructure development
“A lot of things happened that we're still dealing with today. We put this infrastructure in place by changing things at the training center. As you may have seen, we've started work on the football pitches. These are not excuses, they are simply facts. For the past three and a half months, we haven't been able to train on our pitches, which is very, very difficult. We've had a lot of injuries during that time. This is because we trained on a pitch that was neglected.
We've improved the gym and nutrition. The players eat breakfast and lunch, which means we can have more control over their fitness, how they sleep, and how they move, which is a sign of professionalism. Professionalism, dedication, and discipline are the three most important things to be a footballer."
A delicate context from summer 2023
“When I arrived, four players knocked on my door to tell me they wanted to leave, which is difficult to accept. It's something that surprises you but you have to deal with it. In January, we had to deal with two or three of these players. It put a spanner in the works. We took over an unhappy team. Looking at the league tables in recent years, it's a club that isn't used to winning. We want to change that. So we signed players who are used to winning leagues. It didn't work out for some of them, and we have to take responsibility for that.”
Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport
Unsuitable recruitment for Ligue 2?
“We have international players. Valenciennes has never had five or six internationals. These are players who will prove themselves. At no point did we think it would be easy. We never underestimated the league. I think we have experienced players like Jean Louchet, Sacha Bansé, Andrew Jung, and Anthony Knockaert. Some players have played at a higher level than Ligue 2. I don't think a lack of experience in Ligue 2 should be an excuse. We've brought in players; some have been successful, others not. But there are also real successes like Joachim Kayi Sanda, Souleymane Basse, Manga Foe Ondoa, and Tanguy Lienard. The young players who have arrived in the first team are successes and will be part of the team next year.”
An innovative recruitment methodology
“When we arrived, there was a scouting structure, but no real structure, planning, or platform to observe players or connect with them. So we created a scouting team headed by Mathieu Frison. He has a fantastic background as a scout (at LOSC, editor's note) and many contacts. He's young, very, very eager to succeed, and travels a lot in France. His knowledge is unrivaled. There are two other scouts: one in Belgium, one in the Netherlands. And at Sport Republic, we have a multitude of scouts and recruitment analysts who work closely with me and at the clubs. We couldn't sign players like Mathias Oyewusi or Flamarion if we didn't watch hundreds and hundreds of matches a week and had scouts working 24 hours a day with video and data.”
We don't just want to recruit players at the end of their contracts in the National or Ligue 2. We find good players that way. But we want will, character, the desire to do well. I think that's what we're getting in our recruitment right now. The coach is always consulted about our recruitment. That's always the case. He gives his opinion and can say no, without any problem, if he has too many doubts about his inclusion in the project or in the locker room. We never sign a contract that everyone hasn't approved of. That's very important."
Sport Republic, a new mentality
“We spoke from experience, we can put our methodology and infrastructure in place for next season. Work on the pitches began in April, we have dedicated nutrition chefs. All of this wasn't in place when we arrived. We must be professional in creating an environment conducive to winning. This is a long-term project with a fantastic stadium, a fantastic training center. And now we want to build a fantastic team. The administrative work being done is also fantastic. We are trying to improve every individual and every area of the club, step by step. But it takes time. 18 players left this summer, 18 more arrived. Again, it takes time to build camaraderie and trust. The fans don't want to hear that. But next season, we will be back in Ligue 2. That must be our goal.”
Ben Chorley, between warm welcome and sacrifices
“I’ve lived here for nine months. I think I’ve eaten in every restaurant in town (smiles). I really like the city, I’ve made some great friends, especially with the restaurant owners because I eat alone (smiles). People have been very kind, they help me with French, and I’m accepted. You have to make sacrifices. I’m away from my family, my wife, my two children, and it’s football. This weekend, I’m missing my son’s birthday (smiles). It’s not ideal, but I have to dedicate myself to VAFC to make it a success.”
The real start of the adventure planned for this summer?
“I want players who understand what Ligue 2 and the National are all about. I want to be able to see the Valenciennes spirit in this team: hard work, never giving up, desire, strength. We will have to show this to the fans and owners next season, that they can see our DNA in our performances. Namely, strength, discipline, and the desire to do well. We will never give up. As soon as the referee blows the whistle to start the match, we will have to fight. We have to.”
Source: VAFC
