I begin my first year at Caen Malherbe with a pre season tournament in Chartres. Philippe Trenchant, my new coach insists a lot on the tactics and essentially makes me work on my weakest points. Philippe, an uncompromising coach, does not hesitate to shake me and makes me understand that this is football at a high level. I remember during my first match, I played for 12 minutes before he replaced me without giving me any reason. However, I do remember having scored a magnificent free kick of 40 meters with my left foot against Rouen.

Then, just like the team, I made a good start to the season allowing me to obtain the captain’s armband. This responsibility puts me under a lot of pressure but also motivates me even more. On this matter I will always remember the gamble that Philippe took by bringing me over from Guadeloupe.

On a personal level, I had some difficulties due to leaving behind my family and my island. Fortunately, players likes Romain de Vassy, Jimmy de Boisvillier and Pierre Asslin helped me to integrate into this new environment. I thank Pierre, who like a godfather, would take me to his home in St-Lô during my days off. I spent my end of year holidays with my aunt Dada in Paris whom I thank a lot. I would also like to mention that my first winter in France was difficult for me, being a native of the Antilles.

After the winter break, I joined the under 18 team steered by Laurent Lesgent. He helped me a lot with my mental state. He also taught us to be more aggressive and motivated us in some surprising ways. Thanks to him we realised an exceptional round in section Gambardella where we eliminated some big teams(Auxerre,PSG). We reached the final and played at the Stade de France. In front of my family, invited for the occasion,I came on for the last 10 minutes of the match. We lost 2-0 against Metz and I am sent off. A big disappointment ... the outcome of this season is the signature of my first federal contract for 2 years as a youth player.