“The Olympics would be an opportunity”, “I grew up in this club”: from Paris 2024 to its future, the secrets of MHSC midfielder Joris Chotard

A professional for four years already, Chotard has just delivered his “most consistent” season, he believes. MAXPPP – JEAN MICHEL MART

At 22 years old, MHSC midfielder Joris Chotard, author of a full season, is impatiently waiting to know if he is selected by Thierry Henry with the Bleuets for the Olympic Games. A deadline which will precede another: that linked to his future at the club.

The list for the Olympic Games will be announced by Thierry Henry on Monday June 3 (read elsewhere). Is there a form of excitement, of impatience to know??

A bit of both, a bit of excitement, a bit of impatience because we want to know, quite simply, if we will have the chance to participate in this competition or not. It can also be a seasonal reward.

Was being at the Olympics one of your goals for the season?

I proceeded in stages. Firstly, we had to have a good season with Montpellier. We didn't expect to play for so long, so we had to concentrate on the club first. I did it all season. Now, of course I would like to participate in the Olympics, that would be a chance.

The Olympics in France are an opportunity that will never come again for any person currently living

When we were selected in March, like you, for the last gathering before the Games, do we believe in it even more ?

That could be a good indication. Afterwards, unfortunately, I was injured. I hope it won't hurt me if I was in the base plans. But yeah, I hope that was a good indication.

What would being selected for the Olympic Games mean to you??

It would be very, very beautiful. Every opportunity we have to represent the country is exceptional. This is an opportunity that will never present itself to any person living today. Be in the right age group, that the Games take place in France…

You could also experience them with ex-teammates at MHSC, Elye Wahi (Lens) and Maxime Estève (Burnley).

This is one more chance. Because we play with guys that we know very, very well, with whom we evolved at the training center, with whom we played professionally. And finding yourself like this would be very good.

These Olympics would come after a top season on your part. Do you consider her your best professional ?

It was the most regular. At the start, I felt very good, above previous seasons, whether in recovery, passing, duels, etc. We had a complicated phase afterwards, with the team. And the individual goes with the collective. Fortunately we were able to raise our heads and all raised our level to maintain ourselves at the end.

There have never been any problems between the players. I think that’s what allowed us to get back up. Because we could very well have twisted

Looking back, was this season tough collectively ?

Frankly yes, but we never had any group problems. There was never any confusion.

Apart from the clash with Mamadou Sakho.

It’s with the coach. But in the group, there was never any problem between the players. I think that’s what allowed us to get back up. Because we could very well have twisted. Everyone goes to their own corner, does their own thing and thinks about next year. But we all got in tune and in the same state of mind. We saw it during the last matches, whether it was the starting eleven or those who returned, everyone did the job.

Do you, like your coach Michel Der Zakarian, have regrets about this season ?

It’s a collective feeling. Whether it's the players, the staff or the managers, we know very well that we had very good matches. And it’s a shame that we didn’t manage to repeat this kind of performance and that we had this big hole, especially at the start of the calendar year. So, of course there are regrets.

Today, there is a lot of talk about interests around you. How do you deal with them ?

All this started quite a while ago, even this winter. But I knew where I was, what I wanted. There was no way I was leaving. Before the transfer window, I told the president that in any case, we were in a situation that was not at all suitable for leaving.

Did this disturb you at times??

Already, it was the first time that this had happened to me, that we were talking about a departure (last summer and winter). It’s something different to deal with. But I am very well surrounded, whether it is my family, my agent. Then I have always been straight in my shoes with the leaders. They knew very well that I wanted to stay again this season, that I wanted to confirm the previous one.

For me, it's another way of giving back to the club, leaving and leaving a transfer fee. This has always been obvious.

Is it important for you not to go free?

I have always said it, whether with my former agent or the current one: it is to the club that I owe what I have. I gave it 100% on the pitch, even on days when I was less good. This is another way of giving back, leaving a transfer fee. This has always been obvious.

Aren't you facing the most important turning point since the start of your career ?

I think so. These are not choices that we can make in a hurry and say to ourselves: “Hey, that's nice, I'm going there”. Or: “It’s nice here, I’ll stay”.

Is there a possibility of staying ?

I am under contract until 2026. So, if I don't make the Olympics, I will be there on July 2 when they resume. And we'll see from day to day.

Is resolving the question of your future before the Olympics a priority??

There are two choices: either wait until the end of the Euro, or wait until the end of the Olympics to organize. Because the Olympics make things happen in the transfer window, spill over enormously into preparation and therefore, possibly, into the championship, etc.

Do you ever think about your departure from Montpellier, this moment that your former partner Nicolas Cozza compares to that when you leave & ;quot;parents' house" ?

I've been here for 8-9 years. I came on my own when I was in my mid-teens. And I'm starting to enter the adult world. Obviously, leaving a club where we experienced all that would be special. There would be apprehension, of course, and sadness. I grew up in this club. But today I don't know what my month of July, my month of August is made of.

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