El Chadaille Bitshiabu reflects on his Ligue 1 debut
At 16 years and 11 months old, El Chadaille Bitshiabu became Paris Saint-Germain's third youngest player to play in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, behind Kingsley Coman (16 years 8 months) and Nicolas Anelka (16 years 10 months). He reflects on his debut against Angers and the opportunity to become champions of France with at least a point on Saturday against Lens.
On Wednesday, you played your first minutes in Ligue 1, what did you make of that moment?
"The coach didn't warn me. I was warming up and he said to me: "Chad, you're coming on". He gave me some instructions, told what to do, where I needed to set myself up,... I paid attention to what he said and there you go. I came on and I did what the coach asked me. I thank the club for that and for its confidence and I hope that this will just be the start."
What happens in your head when you find out that you are going to play?
"In fact, everything is a bit unsettled. That's to say that there is stress, apprehension and excitement. It's lots of different feelings. But once I stepped onto the pitch... all of that disappeared. That's what happened to me. I got my first touch of the ball and then you are on your way."
You became the third youngest player to play for the club in Ligue 1. Has it sunk in exactly what that represents?
"To start with, it didn't. It was a dream, if you like, I had done it, the challenge of being the youngest player. But even today, it hasn't sunk in yet because it really is extraordinary. I hope to continue like that, always progressing up the ranks."
If you get a positive result on Saturday (draw or victory) against Lens, Paris Saint-Germain can become champions of France... and you will too at the same time.
"The spirit of the group is very positive. We feel that we can go out and be crowned champions. In training, everything has gone well. We are just waiting for the match. I have prepared myself for it. I say in my head that I need to be ready at any given moment. And so tomorrow, we will see if I get the opportunity to participate in the match. It's really unimaginable, because it's true that I am only 16 and a half, and to already be crowned champions, I think that is incredible. But I also know that it's just the start, that means that in the future, I need to continue."