Following his injury in February 2019, the 2019-20 season was meant to be one of redemption for Mamadou Sakho, one where he could showcase his ability and maybe even give Didier Deschamps something to think about ahead of the 2020 Euros.
What happened, however, is anything but that, as the Frenchman only managed eight games this season in the Premier League before the Covid-19 pandemic, although he now has an extra year to try and get back into the national team.
Picking up a thigh injury early in January, the centre-back missed the last eight league games before the forced pause, but with extra time to recover, the 30-year-old is now ready to help the Eagles continue what had been a good season for them.
Palace were 11th after 29 games and on a three match winning streak, and Sakho wants that to carry on should football resume at a later date, with a specific goal in mind.
He told Stadium Mag: “The goal is to come back very strong. I’m working hard to be in top shape. I want to play with Crystal Palace while having the national team in a corner of my mind. I’m only 30. As I say, when you’re born ambitious, you die ambitious. There are many talented players in France.
“We’re lucky to have an extraordinary pool. I’m first going to give my best for Crystal Palace, for the fans. Then, when you play well on the pitch, the national team comes with it”.
The centre-back admitted playing in next year’s Euros is an objective for him, and despite the vast talent at Deschamps’ disposal, Sakho feel ‘the national team always need experienced players’ and he can be ‘of use’ to them.
His love for Crystal Palace also comes through in the interview, describing the club as one with a ‘good mentality, with an exceptional crowd’.
He continued: “I’m very happy here. My children have adapted very well, and my two daughters are more English than French. They’ve learnt to read English. I feel at home in England.
“You can never predict anything in a career, but today, I’m happy and settled at Crystal Palace where I have a year and a half left on my contract. I’m happy here for now, but we never know what tomorrow is made of. I don’t especially want to see elsewhere for now”.
