“I'm not a savior, but if I score quickly, it will make my return easier”: Andy Delort wants to rediscover the club spirit with MHSC

Former favorite of the Mosson, Andy Delort is back on the front line of the Montpellier attack, Friday evening against Lens. A comeback that he welcomes with a top morale, as evidenced by his first press conference, this Wednesday lunchtime.      

“I won't introduce him to you, welcome to Andy who is joining us”, Laurent Nicollin cracked. It was to be expected: the MHSC press conference was placed under Delor(t)ian auspices, this Wednesday noon, at the center of Grammont. Arriving alongside his president, the Algerian striker, back at the club after three and a half years, expressed all his motivation in order to save the club in Ligue 1. New start, new adventure. Same efficiency ?  

Andy, what motivated your return to Montpellier today ?

We know, there had already been approaches. I too had felt that my story with the club was not over. It could not happen this summer because of the problems the club had. Now, it is done. It was written like that. I am happy to be here. I had a hard time from a distance, seeing the club like that and not being in it to help them and bring something to the club. I had a lot of regrets about the end of my story with this club. It was close to my heart. I had this regret in my career, I wanted to come back and finish my story with this club well.

Your departure was controversial. Did some misunderstandings have to be ironed out to allow this return ?

Yes. It took a little while, but if I am here today, it is because with the club we have had a lot of discussions for a while. We told each other things, on my side, on the club side, on the president's side. I also had a lot of discussions when I was there with supporters that I met in the street. It took time. Little by little, some of them understood. I recognize my wrongs at the time.

Supporters hold a grudge. How do you imagine your return to La Mosson, Friday evening against Lens ?

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I don't really know. I know that if I score quickly, if I do everything for the club, it's certain that it will facilitate my return… We know that I'm going to do it.

How do you feel physically? ?

I feel good mentally to be here. My objective is clear, because the club's situation hurts me. I'm not a savior, I'm not the hero of the situation. I'm going to try to contribute, to score my goals, to make my assists and, above all, to find that club spirit that is ours. At the time, when Paris or Marseille came to the house, they were worried and they were right. If we can find just that, that state of mind, and then save ourselves, that's the most important thing. This is my priority.

How did coach Jean-Louis Gasset influence your arrival?? We saw you joking and teasing each other in training…

Yes, he counted. Already, as a supporter, we all like it when the coach loves the club. When he returned to the club (in October 2024, replacing Michel der Zakarian), I was relieved. It is certain that for my arrival, he did a lot. It is a factor which, in addition to all the other details, makes me here today. I thank him very much, I thank everyone

MHSC has changed in three and a half years. You too?

We are obliged to change. There are players who pass through, it evolves. Me too, of course. I think that we can quickly find ourselves again, the club and I. That's what made us strong when I was there.

They say that the club's 50th anniversary party (November 16) played a big role in your transfer. What about it? ?

The day before, I had a match in Algeria (Editor's note: he is on loan until the end of the season by Mouloudia Club d'Alger), I did everything I could to come, because I was playing two or three days later. It is true that it was important to me to be at this party, which was exceptional in terms of emotions. Seeing all my friends with whom I played, the people from the club. We felt that it was a club apart and that evening I understood why this club is different from the others.

In recent days, there has been a lot of talk about Teji Savanier's departure. How do you appreciate your reunion ?

Téji is my friend first and foremost. You'll have to ask him. But in any case, I'm happy that he's staying because we know the quality and love that Téji has for the club. We're going to fight to save our club, our family, whether it's the players and all the employees, the whole MHSC family.

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