Friday, 18th October, 2013
Florian Thauvin's first season with Marseille will not be devoid of looking at the past, but the big-money playmaker remains confident the "boos and hisses" will only motivate him after a "difficult summer".
Thauvin's summer was full of controversy when the 20-year-old switched to Marseille without playing a single game for Lille – and even refused to train – a move that prompted theories of financial greed.
Thauvin has so far refused to give them credence, while OM president Vincent Labrune blamed the media for victimising his reported €15m acquisition.
Thauvin has become a pariah of sorts with fans across the board, but the Under-20 World Cup winner is undeterred, telling L'Equipe: "It has bothered me. But I know why I did it.
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"[Lille’s leaders] tried to reduce everything to money. But on arrival, who do you think pocketed the huge amount?
"[The boos] are part of the job, even though I do not understand why fans of other clubs hiss me when my conflict was with Lille. Still, I like to use it as a motivation.
"The transfer amount is huge especially for a player of just 20-years-old. But I do not want to think about it to avoid putting too much pressure.
"I will do my best so that no one can really blame me. But I don't have to change the way I play.
"I wish people would have a different view of me. It is useless to talk every day. I did it once and that was enough. It was difficult enough for me this summer, even if I did not read anything that was written."
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