Everton defender Niels Nkounkou has detailed how he’s improved tactically at Saint Etienne, something he had planned when arriving from Goodison Park in January.
The defender has been speaking to Saint Etienne’s YouTube channel about his time at the club so far after arriving in the January transfer window.
He had been on loan at Championship side Cardiff but that was not working out, so him and Everton elected to end that early and send him back to his homeland for the playing time he needed.
That move has proven to be a very smart one, with the defender featuring in 89% of the available minutes in Ligue 2 since his arrival and making the starting 11 92% of the time to boot.
He’s made the most of that too, bagging four goals and seven assists in 12 games in Ligue 2 and earning rave reviews for his performances.
He’s now detailed why that has come about, explaining his aim was to improve in one area specifically while away from Goodison Park.
“My objective was to work tactically, because at Everton I had this problem,” he said.
“So, I told the coach to teach me how to defend, let’s say, but in the tactical positioning.
“Afterwards, when the system changed, I was much higher up on the pitch so I found my qualities and I was happy.
“My adaptation? I didn’t think it would be quick. Afterwards, as I said to my agents, it’s always easier when you’re at home, in a French country with players who speak French or with players I’ve played with.”
💚 Comme chaque saison, https://t.co/sH7DYgyFTs vous place en tête-à-tête avec un Vert… Au tour de @NielsNkounkou de se confier en longueur !
On invite qui, la prochaine fois ? 💭🤔
— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) April 14, 2023
