Chalmé Loves Gourcuff Too..and other things

By: Jennifer | December 20th, 2008

First, the result of our amazing luck? Galatasaray.

Galatasaray has got to be one of the harder teams in the UEFA Cup, and I’m not just over estimating them because they’e Turkish. I mean, they had the brains to sign Harry Kewell and Milan Baros, who both turned out to be fantastic players this season, away from the shitty form with their old teams. At least Kewell is injured right <–see, optimisim for the holidays. (No dirty jokes on his operation…but I do hope Baros goes on a partying rampage and hurts himself grinding in a club).

Anyway, on to more joyous stuff, Kevin Olimpa signed an extention with Bordeaux! Blanc’s extention talks will be in January and he insists not talking about his decision till then.

Chamakh was Father Christmas for a day! (Or a few hours, at least). He was at a local school, giving autographs for the boys. He even says

“I remember that at their age, I was a fan and supporter of Girondins de Bordeaux, the year of their title of champion of France 98-99. My favorite players were Micoud, Wiltord, Ramé and Benarbia. “

How precious is that? Now if I can only find pictures, it will be the most adorable thing ever. Wayyy more than Gourcuff.

Finally, I leave you with the Chalmé interview. This is actually way more interesting than the Gourcuff interviews, but I have this feeling not many are going to read it.

If you’re not going to read it, I’ll just say this: I love his comments about having a good beer from time to time, but especially on Govou’s recent blood alchohol scandal…and his dining out with Micoud after games. And he would choose Yoann Gourcuff if he was a girl (but probably he’s just jealous.) The love he has for his children is just sweet. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, he wants to cure people too, especially sick children. Very admirable.

(From maxifoot)

OM or PSG?
It’s more OM for me.

Your favorite foreign team?
FC Barcelona.

The idol of your youth?
It was Eric Cantona.

The coach who marked you the most?
There are several that have counted for me but I would say Claude Puel. It really marked me when I was in Lille, his state of mind in particular. With him, it worked really great. (rires) (laughter) But in the end, it’s still a good memory.

Your best memory on a football field?
I have several, but the victory against AC Milan 2 to 0 in the San Siro with Lille in Champions League is well placed. As my first match with Bordeaux, it is last season against Lens.

The most boring player that you cross on a football field?
Simão (Portuguese midfielder moving today to Atletico Madrid, editor’s note). At the time, we discovered the UEFA Champions League against Benfica with Lille, so the very high level, and its first action, it is my appeal against call, and made me 20 meters in sight! I can tell you that it marked me! Simão calmed me well! (laughs)

The player with whom you dream to play?
At the time, it was Zinedine Zidane.

What was for you the best player in Ligue 1 in the last five years?
I will say Juninho. Juninho is seven times France champion and every or almost everytime decisive with Lyon.

A French club will win a European Cup this season?
Finally … The Champions League, no, I do not think so. Whether Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux, we showed that we were not quite level. But the UEFA Cup, it was clear ways to win.

What makes your dream stage?
It is rather a stage where I never played, will tell the Camp Nou (FC Barcelona) and Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid).

The goalkeeper of the French team, Lloris or Mandanda?
In France, we have the chance to have two great goalies, but I have a soft spot for Hugo Lloris anyway.

If you were Michel Platini, what would you change in football today?
I’d put up the video (replays), particularly in the area (penalty).

If you were Jean-Pierre Escalettes, you would have maintained Raymond Domenech at the head of the French team?
Very sincerely, I do not know anything … The most important thing is that the French team qualify for the 2010 World Cup, whatever the coach.

To succeed Raymond Domenech in the future, rather Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps?
I think both have the middle to become the coach. I have the chance of working beside Laurent Blanc, so I know that yes. And I think that Didier Deschamps is the same calibre.

Does Steve Savidan deserve a second selection?
Yes! He is a really annoying player to play against. In addition I admire him very much. He has impressive statistics. It marks a lot, because a lot of assists and more heavily defended and believes the group first.

If you were the president (Triaud), which rookie will you take this winter?
I leave it to the president and staff to decide.

Who be champions at the end of this season?
I hope Bordeaux! I am ambitious.

Who will finish top scorer in the league?
I think it will be contested between Fernando Cavenaghi and Karim Benzema.

What do you do in general after a match?
Most of the time I go to the restaurant. If Johan Micoud is in the stands, we go together, otherwise I go with other people.

What do you do when you are calm at home?
I look after my children.

If I search in your iPod, I will find what?
Tou’ll find a bit of everything except rap. This too is not my cup of tea.

Your favorite drink?
Ah, good beer from time to time, it’s fun! (rires)

In what animal would you like to reincarnate into?
In a lion, to reign.(laughs)

The biggest mistake you made, being kid?
Honestly, I do remember is that … I did not have to do much! (laughs) Well I had to make some, but not much larger.

If you had not been a footballer, what profession would you like to exercise?
A career in sport, or a trade that would help people. Well, we’ll say fireman, it combines the two.

If you were head of the state, what would your first decision?
Many things I take to heart, but my first decision, this would be my utmost, that each person has a home.

If you could have a super power, which would be?
To cure people, including sick children.

If you were Zinedine Zidane and William Gallas, will you forgive Jérôme Rothen?
No, certainly not! (sighs)

If you invite me home, you make me what to eat?
I cook very little. It will be pasta …

How was your first time?
Hmm … (laughs) It was not great. I am caught thereafter, but the first time, it was not terrible. Well, it is still a good memory because it was my first time precisely, but hey, this was not the best hug of my life will say … (laughs)

What do you look first in a woman?
The whole! (laughs) I look in general. It must all be attractive. But after the most important is what is within. Yes I know, it’s beautiful what I say … (laughs)

If you were a girl, who would you choose in the changeroom of Bordeaux?
Every time you go anywhere it is “Gourcuff this, Gourcuff that,” “we want to see Gourcuff”, “Gourcuff, where is he?”, “Ah Gourcuff, he is cute!” … So I am forced to say Gourcuff. (laughs)

Sidney Govou found with 2.6 grams of alcohol in the blood, what do you think?
(Mathieu explodes with laughter) Govou makes me laugh! I do not know what to say on this matter … (laughs) It’s already happened to many of us, we should not hide! Good attention, not me huh! (laughs) Well, this is something that can happen to anyone of us. It should not be making a dish because he is Govou and he is professional football player.

The last thing you do before you sleep?
A kiss to my children.

Your dream vacation, where you to spend?
I spent every year in Corsica, near Calvi. It is on a small island. C’est le paradis. It is paradise. I’ve went for the past few years. In addition it is not far, there is not too much plane to get there. This place is perfect.

Where will you be in ten years?
I will be in retirement, or close. I hope to always hold a function in a football club. But no coach in any case, that’s for sure. And then when I have time to enjoy as often as I can with my friends.