Team

Philippe: “I want to play my part in this story”

In a press conference on Wednesday, new arrival Rayan Philippe spoke about his move to HSV, his style of play and his favourite position, as well as his immediate connections with his new French teammates.

It hasn’t taken long for Rayan Philippe to get settled in. The attacker is still looking for a place to stay in Hamburg that has enough space to accommodate his small family, including his daughter, following his move to the Rothosen from Eintracht Braunschweig. But in his new environment, the 24-year-old has met three of his fellow countrymen in Jean-Luc Dompé, William Mikelbrencis and Aboubaka Soumahoro who have all been at the club for a long time. “We are the French Connection. They are helping me to get my bearings both on the pitch at HSV and off the pitch in Hamburg,” explained Philippe, who was born in Nice, in a press conference following Wednesday’s training session. Philippe also spoke in detail about…

…his move to HSV: HSV are a great club with a lot of history who are back in the Bundesliga again now. I really want to play my part in this story. The goal is to help the club stay up. For me personally, it’s a case of being out there on the pitch and playing. When I was making the decision to join HSV, it was useful that the coaching staff speak French to one another. It makes things easier, even though I also speak English and understand German well.

…his French teammates: We had a meal together last weekend. Of course, it’s normal that I might have a closer relationship with them than I have with some of my other teammates at first. We are the French Connection. They are helping me to get my bearings both on the pitch at HSV and off the pitch in Hamburg. It’s a massive help.

Quick and motivated with an eye for goal: Rayan Philippe is right in the thick of things as HSV start training again.

…his style of play and favourite position: I like playing on the right wing, but I can also be used as a centre forward or just in behind as a second striker. My pace and my left foot are two of my biggest strengths. With them, I can and really want to help the team out. By contrast, my heading is an area for improvement – I need to work on that. It’s first and foremost about having good timing.

…his excitement for the Bundesliga: I really want to play in the league. The fact that I can do so for a club as big as HSV is an amazing thing. There are lots of good teams and players in the division. Of course, you look towards the games against FC Bayern and against players like Olise, Kane or Musiala with anticipation, even though the latter is unfortunately injured at the moment.