Ligue 1: “My wish is that Maxime Estève stays here for the moment”, says MHSC coach Michel Der Zakarian

Maxime Estève devrait tenir sa place contre Lille dimanche, selon son entraîneur. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Le coach héraultais est revenu ce vendredi 26 janvier sur les rumeurs de départ de son défenseur central, prêt à jouer contre Lille dimanche. 

Will leave, will not leave ? Four days after the revelations of strong interest from Burnley, Maxime Estève is still a Montpellier HSC player. The defender should take part in the Lille reception on Sunday, according to his coach Michel Der Zakarian, who avoided questions about his player's future at a press conference on Friday. 

"Why wouldn't he play (against Lille) ? Today, yes, he plays against Lille. If there is a departure, we will see but he left to play. If he leaves, it will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…", dismissed the pailladin coach in front of the media. 

"If he has to leave, we will have to be able to replace him"

Before delivering his wish: "Let him stay here for the moment, said Der Zak. Afterwards, if the club has a good offer and Estève is forced to leave, we will have to be able to replace him. We wish him good luck and good luck."

This situation did not prevent the Montpellier coach from starting Maxime Estève on Wednesday during the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Feignies-Aulnoye (0-4). Kouyaté at the CAN and Jullien suspended, Der Zak didn't have many other options either.

In any case, this did not prevent the 21-year-old defender from delivering a solid performance. "He is not at all disturbed", confirms his coach, well aware of the closing date of the winter transfer window: Thursday February 1, as in England.& ;nbsp;