Last summer, Yoann Barbet was out of contract at Brentford, and despite many offers from around Europe, he decided to stay in England by going to Queens Park Rangers.
The Frenchman had a good start to the season, playing the first dozen games, but an injury in the game against his former club left him out of action for six weeks.
He came back, and managed to wiggle his way back into the first-team before the Covid-19 pandemic put everything on hold, meaning he’s now sat at home with his girlfriend who is due to give birth in three to four weeks time.
The player sat down (at a distance) with Formation Girondins, where he discussed the events that transpired last summer leading him to swap Brentford for QPR.
He said: “I was open to everything at that time. I had opportunities in France, but not really concrete until the end, in Turkey too, but things dragged on and the QPR manager called me quickly.
“He didn’t let go of me, even during the holidays. He took the plane to Bordeaux. He showed a real interest. It meant a lot”.
However, the defender revealed his first option was to stay at Brentford, where he had spent the last four years of his career after his move from FC Niort.
He explained: “I had the possibility (of staying). I wanted to, even, the club too, but we didn’t agree on a contract. I was one of the older players at the club, I’d just had a full season. I even played left-back without complaining. I thought I deserved a bit more.
“You need to make your choices. It was hard because everyone wanted me to stay, but I needed to see something else. I’m very happy where I am today. I’m enjoying myself in one of the most attractive but also difficult leagues”.
As for what he wants in the future for his career, Barbet has his eyes set on England’s top tier.
He concluded: “I’m going to do everything to go to the Premier League, and why not with QPR. It would be even better to go up with them. I really don’t want to leave here, I’m very happy, I have the manager’s trust, the club’s.
“I signed for three years, not to leave after just one. I hope we can continue the season and why not even make the playoffs!”
