What convinced you regarding the OGC Nice project?
It doesn’t necessarily date from today. There had been contact for several months. I spoke with the sports director (Florent Ghisolfi), the coach (Francesco Farioli). There was chemistry very quickly. I spoke regarding it to my agents, to my mother who is here. It’s the right choice for me. I obviously knew Nice. It is a historic club in the French championship which has great ambitions.
Along with four other players, you were left out of Besiktas’ professional squad. For what?
I’m like you, I don’t know. It was going very well and then the management changed. There was a new president, a new sports director. They made the choice with other players to separate us from the group. I don’t blame them. I focus on Nice.
In Nice, you will meet a former teammate of yours in Dijon, Cédric Varrault. Did he tell you regarding Nice?
I haven’t had time to meet him yet. I was surprised because I didn’t know he coached here (he is an assistant coach for the U19s). He was the dad of the team at the time. I was very young. We will be able to reminisce regarding the good old days.
“The altercation with Youssouf? We laughed regarding it”
Coach Francesco Farioli remembered you as an opponent. And you?
He had the reputation in Türkiye of being a very good coach. We felt that the team had its DNA, had character. We have had discussions and we are really on the same wavelength. It’s important to have a coach you want to fight for.
The athletic director said you were at your peak of maturity. How have you changed since your debut in Dijon?
I have experienced other championships, European competitions. I have matured, I have a little more experience. I handle situations a little differently, I think more. But the Valentin Rosier that you knew in Dijon, who brought intensity to his lane, who was dynamic and feisty, I will always be.
Did you speak with Youssouf Ndayishimiye regarding your altercation when you were in Turkey?
It’s part of football (smiles). In truth, I had forgotten before I saw it once more. In a team, you need players with character who show that you are not going to be walked on. We talked and laughed regarding it. He’s a beautiful baby, I wouldn’t have lasted long with him (laughs). We belong to the same family now.
You haven’t played in over a month and a half. How fit are you?
My situation at Besiktas was a bit complicated. I just need to give myself time to get back into shape. There, with the exclusion, it was not the ideal conditions for training. I need to work with the team, physically alongside too. But there is no problem.
