Interview

“I like it when we make things happen together”

Rayan Philippe has caught the eye in training and in HSV’s pre-season friendlies so far. The Frenchman talks to HSV.de about his form, the lessons he learnt from last season and his aims for the new campaign.

Two armchairs overlooking the training pitches at the Home Ground provide the setting for today's interview. Rayan Philippe takes a seat in one of them. Despite already having completed four training sessions by this stage of the fifth week of pre-season, he does not sink back into the chair with exhaustion. Instead, he is on the edge of his seat. The 25-year-old Frenchman has contributed a goal and an assist in the friendlies against 1. FC Heidenheim and Everton, while he has also looked sharp in training. Philippe speaks to HSV.de about his form, the lessons he learnt from last season, the defensive responsibilities of a forward and his aims for the new campaign.

HSV.de: Rayan, Herzogenaurach is the setting for our third training camp of pre-season. How are you feeling?

Rayan Philippe: I feel really good. I made sure I prepared properly before pre-season began, while I was still on holiday in the south of France. I feel good whenever I’m out on the pitch. I don’t just mean physically, because I’m not carrying any injuries, but mentally as well. Hopefully that feeling continues.

You have looked particularly in tune with your teammates during the friendlies.

Our system involves a lot of players operating centrally, which means we can link up quickly in tight spaces. That suits me. I like playing in central areas. I like having my teammates close to me and making things happen together. It is not easy for the opposition to defend against either, because they have to decide how they want to deal with the space. Do they react to what I or one of my teammates does? If they do, that can open up space elsewhere for us.

How important is pre-season ahead of a new campaign?

It is really important to be fully fit. You simply cannot replicate the intensity of pre-season once the season has started. I believe you can only perform well over the course of a season if you have really pushed yourself during pre-season. You have to work hard now to make sure you are ready. I want to show what I can do because, of course, I would like to play more, but it is not just about me. It's about the team. I want to help the team by giving my all and pushing the other lads as well.

Has the training camp at the Home Ground been the most demanding part of pre-season?

Yes, I would say so. We are in the fifth week of pre-season now and getting closer to the start of competitive action, so it is normal for the intensity to be very high. It is also really warm, but I like that. These are actually perfect conditions for me. Training in this heat makes it even more demanding and toughens you up. That said, it was not easy yesterday when we had to do sprint after sprint. (laughs)

How do you look back on your first season at HSV? What were you happy with, and what were you less satisfied with?

There were ups and downs. I was happy with the first half of the season because I was playing regularly and scoring goals. Things were going fairly well for me. The second half of the season was different, as I played less and scored fewer goals. I wasn't fully fit either because I was dealing with a few little niggles. I'm working hard during pre-season because I do not want to be satisfied with only half a good season. I want to perform well throughout the entire campaign.

You were left out of the squad for the 2-1 away win in Wolfsburg, which was a footballing decision. Head coach Merlin Polzin subsequently praised your reaction to that and the way you dealt with it.

It was mainly about my defensive work. I know nobody is perfect, but that is still the standard I set myself. I always try to give everything, learn and improve. I want to work on my weaknesses. If I am told that I need to defend better, then I will defend better. I spoke to the defenders as well, but most of my conversations were with the coaches. They are the experts and can explain exactly what they expect from me. Obviously I want to play and, when I don't, I ask why. That's just the way I am. I ask questions because I want to understand things better, improve and help the team. I know I can do that.

(The interview is briefly interrupted by Otto Stange and Daniel Elfadli, who walk back from the training pitches and look over towards Rayan Philippe. Stange says “Oui” twice, prompting smiles from all three.)

What are your aims for the rest of pre-season and the new campaign?

For now, I am simply giving my all every day. We will see where things stand when the season begins. I want to play every game, score as many goals as possible and set up as many as I can. It was honestly difficult for me to finish last season without an assist. Setting up a goal gives me just as much satisfaction as scoring one. It really does.

HSV’s forward line has a new look following the departures of Ransford Königsdörffer and Robert Glatzel and the arrival of Patson Daka. The coach has also recently indicated that the club’s work in this area is not yet complete. Where do you see yourself fitting into the picture?

Honestly, I don't think about that. I give my all in training and, ultimately, the coaching staff make the decisions. I can only focus on the things I can control. My aim is to have a better season than I did last year.