Football: Debuchy sits out Lille training

PARIS: Mathieu Debuchy, under contract at Lille until 2015, said he wants to leave the club and will not take part in training. “What I want is to leave,” said Debuchy. “I want to play in another league. I’ve been talking with Lille for a while but unfortunately nothing’s come of it. I’m a little disappointed by how events have turned out. Training’s due to start again but I won’t be there.” Debuchy has been linked to a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, where his international teammate Yohan Cabaye plays. The 26-year-old said playing with Cabaye at the northeast club was one of his ‘priorities’. “I’m 100 per cent decided. I want to leave Lille. The coach wants to keep me but I won’t change my mind.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2012.