Maxwell: 'A winning dynamic'

Maxwell, the three world champions received a great tribute this week at the Ooredoo Training Centre…
Above all it’s a celebration for the three players but I think the club was brilliantly represented at the World Cup by all our players. They promoted the club in the biggest competition in the world and three players went all the way and were crowned champions and I think it’s really important to celebrate it! It’s very important in football to celebrate winning, at its true value and today, at the training ground, between the players and staff, we celebrate the victory of the three players that represent the entire squad.

How was the Asia Summer Tour 2018?
Very difficult. Organising the entire squad for a tour is always difficult, but this year, with the situation created by the World Cup and having so many players still on holidays, or still competing, we had a squad featuring many young players. It was very difficult for us and also the Elite Squad and the U19 because we took a lot of their players. But at the same time it was an incredible opportunity for all the young players. We knew with the new coaching staff, Thomas Tuchel likes to give his young players every chance, so this was a huge opportunity for the kids to show their potential, to take part in the tour, get a first taste of playing with the first team and also maybe show the coach what they can do. So it was difficult, but also a great experience for everyone.

How do you judge the performances of the young players?
The youngsters really showed lots of quality, they were very professional throughout the tour and they should be congratulated. It was very tough, we lost matches, but they played well, they trained in very difficult weather conditions, so they should be congratulated, along with the coaching staff and everyone that was on tour, including the professional players as well. We had a good time and we finished the tour with a win in the Trophée des Champions and that was really reward for all the hard work up to that point.

And above all its a training camp to be ready for the season...
The Asia Summer Tour is all about getting juice into the legs, working very hard, often in difficult conditions, but the players are used to preseason now. It was also the opportunity to visit our fans in Asia. There is a big French community in Singapore, so it was nice to see them and it was also nice to see all our fans in Shenzhen for the Trophée des Champions so everything went really well. The weather was sometimes very hot and humid, but the organisation changed to adapt to that as well. Occasionally it cost us a bit of training time, but in the end, it was a very profitable tour or the players and the coaches and I’m sure will hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.

The last-minute win over Atlético de Madrid, and then the win in the Trophée des Champions all bode well…
It gives the team confidence and means that there’s a good atmosphere to work in, within the squad and also between the players and the coaching staff. It’s a bonus. We know that the results in preseason are not the most important thing. We knew that the Trophée des Champions was the match we had to win, when we were playing for a trophy. The win gives us even more motivation and desire to keep going in this dynamic , everyone working hard, in a good atmosphere and winning a trophy just adds to all that.

Everyone seemed to be working hard in a great atmosphere as well…
It always happens when there’s a new coach, all the players try and show what they can do. But there is also an excellent work ethic installed, there’s very good atmosphere and very good communication between everyone as well, very good organisation which also helps the new staff come in a start working efficiently. Everyone is working hard to make sure there’s a good atmosphere and that the players are confident. We know there is still a lot of work to do and things to improve but there are also a lot of positives.

Are you excited for the start of the season?
It’s good to be excited for the start of the season, but we also need to keep our feet on the ground. We know how hard it is to start the season against sides that have been working hard in preseason with the full squad from the beginning. It’s very difficult. We have a number of players that have only just returned to training, others still coming back now. But we are confident and that is very important. But really, now is the time for keeping our heads down and working hard, not looking too far into the future, keep doing our best for the players, to keep them with the best possible conditions and hope to win Sunday’s match at the Parc des Princes and then the next one and make a good start to the season…

The season starts against Caen, which brings back good memories for you…
It was my last match as a player… a draw here at the Parc des Princes, at home, in front of the fans and the club also thanked me officially for my career, and it was a very special match for me. Unfortunately we drew late on, but the most important thing that day was to feel that the team was with me, the coaching staff, the club, everyone that worked at the club and the recognition from everyone for what I achieved here at the club. I hope this Sunday we will get a different result, a win… but it’s true it was a special match for me…