Aleksandr Golovin: "I wanted to continue my story with AS Monaco"

It’s very simple, he has only missed one match this season in Ligue 1… because he was suspended against Strasbourg! Since then, Aleksandr Golovin has not only had his most consistent season in Rouge et Blanc in terms of playing time (the fifth-most used player), but also statistically (6 goals, 6 assists). After having just extended his contract with AS Monaco at the beginning of the week, until 2026, the Tsar spoke with the media before the team’s trip to Troyes.

Is this his best season at AS Monaco?

I actually think it’s my best season since I arrived in the Principality, because everything is going well for me at the moment. It must be said that the staff and my teammates are doing a great job, which allows me to be in the best conditions to perform. And when all the conditions are met around me, it is obviously easier to string together good performances. So yes, this is definitely my best season so far.

Le Tsar vous souhaite une bonne semaine 😘#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/elIuI8kPwT

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 20, 2023

On his conditioning

I actually feel a lot better. We had a chat with coach Philippe Clement and Performance Director James Bunce at the end of last season. It was a frank exchange on how I had to work physically and technically to feel at 100%.

Perhaps it was a turning point in hindsight. We started working on that at the start of the preseason. I worked very hard, more than before, and that allowed me to have more power, more energy to be able to play matches and bring more to the team.

Playing with Caio Henrique

First of all it’s true that I have been playing with Caio for a long time now. So it’s very easy for me to understand what he’s going to do, especially since technically he’s very comfortable, he’s a real Brazilian fullback. When he is attacking,  I know he will continue the movement when he gives me the ball.

When I don’t know where he is, I know exactly where he’s going to be in the continuity of play. We have this chemistry that makes me feel like I’ve played my whole career with him. There is also a midfielder at CSKA Moscow with whom I had a very good relationship, but it is obvious that he is one of the players with whom I have had the best connection in recent years.

Signing a contract extension

Five years after joining, I regret absolutely nothing about my choice. It was not easy at the time to make the decision, because I was only 20 years old and there were other offers. But my family, my friends and the coach at the time helped me make the right choice. And today I can only say THANK YOU for this. I am grateful for these five wonderful years I’ve spent in Monaco.

It was therefore very easy for me to extend my stay here, because I am just very happy, content and fulfilled in this Club. I really wanted to continue to write my story with AS Monaco. I have more experience now, and I am now a player who thinks more about how to help the team pick up three points than about myself. I think more collectively than individually.

𝗟𝗲 𝗧𝘀𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗹'𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 ✍️

❤️ DAGHE MUNEGU 🤍#Golo2026 pic.twitter.com/GihvUuA2gK

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 27, 2023

Looking at Eliesse Ben Seghir

When he first came to train with the squad, we immediately understood why he was there, and we knew he was going to stay. He is only 18 today, and it is certain that he has great potential, it is rare to have so much talent at his age. He is also very easy to understand in terms of his style of play. In any case, he has the qualities and the creativity to become a great player, you can see how much he can decide the fate of a match. Few players can do that. Now he just has to keep learning and progressing.

The Derby and elimination from the Europa League

For me it’s the same disappointment, to have experienced this elimination and then defeat in the Derby. For the staff as much as for the players, we just want to bounce back and are focused on the next match in Troyes. These are two painful defeats in hindsight. But that’s part of football, you have to move on quickly. We were simply not good enough, but we have to take the three points on Sunday now.

His efficiency

As I explained previously, I worked harder and better from the start of this season to be at 100% of my level and to create more opportunities in front of goal. This allowed me to have more of a physical presence, to take more of my chances from outside the area and to find myself even more often in the penalty area. And then it must also be said that we are playing more offensively now, so it helps me to be more decisive.

His role in the dressing room

I’m one of the oldest players in the locker room now. So it is certain that I have a different status, especially in the fact of playing with and advising youngsters like Eliesse Ben Seghir, to help them manage the ups and downs in performance. At this age, it is important to have an emotional perspective. I try to help him, to support him when there are more difficult times. This seniority gives me more legitimacy.

His relationship to assists

To be honest, I have to say that I like assisting more than scoring. I want to give goals to the forward, and I think I feel something even stronger than when I find the net. This is why I love this part of the game so much. I’ve always liked that, it’s the technical aspect in which I thrive the most.