"To say that I am a central defender is a big word," says Diarra

A relaxed and smiling Lbadana Diarra with whom RMC Sport was able to talk for a while this Wednesday morning in Singapore just before the departure of PSG for Shenzhen, where the club of the capital will face Monaco Saturday on the occasion of Trophée des champions (2 pm)

The 33-year-old defensive midfielder, who arrived in Paris last winter, spoke about his role as central defender during the International Champions Cup, in the absence of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and while Thomas Tuchel, new coach of PSG likes to evolve his eleven with three players in hinge.

"A post where I can help "

" I'm a PSG player Defensive midfielder, central defender, we'll see Defensive midfielder is my favorite post, but I'm ready to make myself available, says Diarra. is a position where I can give a hand but from there to say that I am a central defender is a big word. If it is necessary to play there, it is with pleasure. It was also missing a lot of players, that's why I went down a notch. For the rest, we will ask the coach the question. "

A coach whose first steps in Paris were particularly appreciated by the former player of Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid or of OM: "Thomas Tuchel did not force me to play central defender. This is a discussion we had. He tried to put me in good mood. It's good to take the advice of the players. It goes very well with Thomas Tuchel . We immerse ourselves in his game philosophy which is very precise. He is close to his players, he communicates a lot. Human relationships are important. He is a man before being a coach and I am a man before being a player. "

" Tuchel is cool but demanding "

" Tactically, he is very picky, continues Diarra. He is cool, but demanding. The training is quite intensive. He talks a lot. He knows what he wants. It's square in its way of proceeding. "