Former Zenit player, Axel Witsel, talks about his failed transfer to Juventus, recalls Lucescu’s methods and explains why Dzyuba is the best.
– Let’s start with a simple question: how do you generally live in China?
– It’s all perfect! I really like it here. Especially “Tianjin” – the main sensation of the championship of China. We just went to the Super League and we are already at the top of the table. I hope that at least the third place will remain. Plus the city is also excellent, there’s nothing to complain about. Of course, Tianjin is not Shanghai, but for a quiet life with the family – it’s the best! In short, I’m very pleased.
– Where do you live: in a hotel or a country villa?
– In the hotel, but there are special apartments for foreigners. That is, in fact, it is a full-fledged, classy house. And the convenience is that anyone can always come to the reception and find out information about the city, school for my children and so on.
After all, Chinese is very difficult and the staff at the hotel speak English. And they are always very polite, hospitable.
– Was it not scary to go instead of a good European club, sorry, to nowhere? And especially to a club that was in second division?
– It’s not scary at all. I immediately spoke with Mr. Cannavaro, he assured me that the project was serious. He explained that the club will necessarily buy both good Chinese players and strong foreign players.
At first it was a little hard: it was necessary to understand how my partners play, adapt and so on. The first few matches were difficult. But in the last 6-7 meetings, progress is evident, not just because “Tianjin” is in third place.
– Are you more interested to play in a team where you are surrounded by strong players, like in Zenit, or where you, Pato and Modest – the main stars, are stronger than others?
– It was easier in Zenit. I knew that really strong players are playing with me, that we will play in the Champions League and so on. In China, everything is different.
We just went to the Super League, the authority and status of the team is not strong yet. Therefore, I repeat, the first 3-4 games turned out to be difficult. But now I understand that in Tianjin they know how to play football, I am again in a team that claims high places. So that’s all right.
– My colleague and I had only one goal in China – to survive in the heat. Every day +42 and terrible stuffiness – how can you even play football in this weather?
– Yes, I myself do not really understand … Especially because it’s just as hard as you say, I’m almost Russian! Well, at least I got used to St. Petersburg’s cool, windy weather. And here you just dream every day: “Please, a breeze, some rain, please …”. It’s really hard to play, it’s true. The last match we had at 7 pm +40 degrees… Well, what can we do, try, run as we can.
– What was the biggest shock to Axel Witsel in China?
– The local driving style! The Chinese are born racers. Just like Russians! Constantly overtake left, right, honking without stopping … Uh! But the Russians still drive faster.
– Did you call Hulk and Villas-Boas before making a decision?
– I talked to Hulk, yes. He told me a lot positive things about China and the championship. But about Tianjin Hulk did not know, because he played only six months in China and at that time my club just got promoted to the big league.
But Villas-Boas no. Yes, he was my coach in St. Petersburg, but in this situation he could not help much. The information from Hulk about China was enough. And directly about the city of Tianjin, our team, infrastructure and so on, I already learned directly from Mr. Cannavaro.
– Tell us a bit about Russia: you were always very professional about the situation when Zenit didn’t let you go to Juventus. But inside, probably, you were very angry…
– Well, it’s silly to hide that I was disappointed. I really wanted to go to Juventus. Of course, it was a very difficult situation for me to spend a whole day at the offices of Juventus, but to never sign a contract…
– How did you find the motivation to play further for Zenit after the incident?
– It was not easy, I do not deny it. I think, in such a situation, any football player would experience conflicting emotions. The first week was lousy. I did not really want to train or play. But then I said to myself: “Axel, get yourself together. What happened happened. God has chosen this path for you. This is destiny. Work further.
I have no complaints about Zenit. I had a valid contract, as a professional, I honoured it. I think no one can say: “Yes, this Witsel is garbage, he does not care about Zenit. I fought in every match, gave everything in full. And I’m grateful to Zenit for the excellent years in Russia.
– What did Zenit players tell you when you returned from Juventus’ office? Sympathized or joked?
– Yes, they were jokes, of course! Especially from Criscito. Domenico constantly shouted to me: “Hey, what are you doing here, it’s not Juventus! But Criscito is my bro, I laughed with him. Good jokes, nothing more.
– Do you keep in touch with anyone from Zenit?
– Neto, Criscito, Lodygin. And in general in St. Petersburg, I still have friends.
– Does Criscito still joke about you?
– Oh, no, no! Although in fact he jokes constantly, without stopping. Such a great guy, always on the positive side.
– Who is better at jokes, Criscito or Dzyuba?
– Oh, a difficult question, complicated…They are both top jokers. But Dzyuba is the best, just the best!
– Dzyuba somehow wrote in Instagram that he moved to China and he is waiting for Kokorin. You did not act as an agent of this “transfer”?
– Haha! No, but once I opened a Chinese newspaper and saw a photo of Dzyuba! And the title: “Tianjin,” our club, wants to buy Dzyuba. ” He was on the front page. I think he saw this picture. Someone made a screenshot of the newspaper, posted it on Twitter and noted Dzyuba.
– If tomorrow Dzyuba writes an sms: “How is it in China, Axel?” – what will you answer?
– I’ll tell him what I think about China and the local championship. But the decision is for the player himself. I can not give the order: “Artem, you must play in China.” If he really has the option to go to Tianjin … I will say “Welcome, Artem!”.
– A question with a hint: what kind of relationship did you have with Mircea Lucescu?
– A good relationship. I personally did not have any problems with him. But, of course, we could perform much better last season. Mircea understands much in football and, apparently, wanted everything to be the same in Russia as in Shakhtar. Unfortunately for us, it did not work.
– Some players of Zenit had a conflict with Lucescu – for example, Shatov. Other guys complained about too much pressure…
– Well, the training really was very hard … Probably the hardest in my career. Lucescu is a little old school coach, he trained us hard. It did not matter what your name is – Witsel, Kerzhakov – Mircea only looked at your level of play. The same with Shatov, he is a superstar in Russia. But if you played bad, you sit down on the bench.
– After such exhausting trainings, you then felt tired and heavier in the legs during official games?
– Yes. At least, at first. The match has just begun and you are not fresh, because you’ve been practising a lot all week. But gradually we got used to it. And then it was normal.
– During the training camps of Zenit sometimes you played control matches every day. Have you ever seen this?
– No. Once every 2-3 days – it happens at the training camps such a scheme. But not every day…
– In a recent interview, Lucescu complained that he had just joined the team, and immediately Hulk, Garay and Witsel began to approach him with the words: “I want to leave Zenit, let me go.”
– Okay, Lucescu really got into a difficult situation. He led the team, and the best players left for one reason or another. Garay wanted to return to Spain, Hulk got a great offer from China, and me personally, I spent a great four years at Zenit, but I wanted a change…
Nevertheless, in the end I spent an additional six months in St. Petersburg. Half a year with Lucescu.
– There were rumors that you and Hulk and Garay simply did not want to work with Lucescu. Therefore, initiated the transfer.
– No, no, it’s not true. As I said – I did not have any conflict with him. If Zenit had another coach, I would still like to leave. My position would not change. It has nothing to do with the coach who was at Zenit. It was just time for change – for me personally.
– What did you feel when you read the news: “Spartak” – the champion of Russia?
– I was very upset. But in fact, I realised that Spartak was likely to win the title. A few weeks after my departure, it became obvious.
– Zenit will regain the title in the new season?
It’s time to win. And not only the championship of Russia, but in general, titles. Last season can not be called successful, of course. But this team started well – I did not see the matches, but I know the results. And now Zenit has everything to win titles again.
– Have you managed to see one match of Zenit after the departure?
– No, because I’m not a night guy. And because of the time difference, the Premier League matches in China are shown at night…But I’m following the results closely, I learn about the team’s results from the guys from Zenit.
– Can you imagine that you will return to Zenit?
– I already said that I was very well in St. Petersburg. Who knows, maybe I’ll put on a Zenit shirt. Plus, next year is the World Cup…See you in Russia!
– The best player you played with in Russia?
– Hulk. One hundred percent! Top footballer, a cannonball blow from any leg, circles the rivals…beauty. And against him…
– Garay in training?
– He’s good in the matches. In official games, Ezequiel is really a wall! But in training he does not get too stressed out. Always calm.
– Then choose the best of rivals.
– Promes. He’s very cool. And I like Dzagoev, an incredibly clever player.
– Belgian beer or Russian?
– Belgian.
– “Petrovsky” or “Da Luz”?
– Uhuh…Well, you asked… All right, Da Luz, because it is more beautiful. But still Zenit’s new stadium is stunning!
– “Spartak” or “Porto”?
– Oh, my friend…Sorry, but I will not answer.
– Villas Boas or Lucescu?
– Villas Boas.
– Villas Boas or Cannavaro?
– Both.
– Chinese heat or St. Petersburg rain?
– St. Petersburg rain.
– Messi or Ronaldo?
– Ronaldo.
