Ismaël Koné, author of a glittering career at CF Montreal, now has the opportunity to fulfill a dream by flying to Europe to continue his career. In Watford he will write the next chapter of his great story.
Like it or not, the midfielder will now be the face of Quebec football in the old continent. Before 2022 he had not played a single clash with the Bleu-Blanc-Noir and now he ended the year with a participation in the World Cup in Qatar. Life is good sometimes.
“A lot has happened in a year and a half, but it’s football,” said the 20-year-old young man at a press conference on Thursday. Sometimes it takes a long time and sometimes it’s quick.
“It’s encouraging for me to finally make the leap to Europe,” he added. I’ve always wanted to play there, on the biggest circuits, the Champions League, the Europa League… That’s where the games are played. As a competitor, I wanted to go to Europe to compete in tournaments like this.
Koné was helped by CF Montreal’s brilliant campaign, which made small. Before him, Djordje Mihailovic and Alistair Johnston completed transfers to Europe.
“We were all on a mission and we knew what we had to do,” assured the native of Côte d’Ivoire. I’m glad to have been part of this team. I’ll say it until the end of my career but I’m grateful because she was able to give my teammates and I a platform.
The good choice
Towards the end of the season, constant rumors sent Koné to the English second division. Sheffield United and Norwich City were part of the talks but these fizzled out. Watford also performed in September, but the Quebecer pleaded for patience.
“They had an offer on the table for a long time but honestly I had blocked everything because I was focused on the season with Montreal. I was involved, I wanted to finish well. After the season we had a little more time and could discuss things,” he said.
“I wanted to go to a club where they really wanted me as the person I am, the player that I am, with my flaws and my qualities. The development project there is excellent,” said Koné, mentioning in passing the name of the Brazilian striker Richarlison, who passed through Watford.
If a transaction with Bologna were possible by remaining in the ranks of Montreal, the teenager could still end up in Italy after all. The elk-headed club have a partnership with Udinese, a good organization in Serie A. Koné didn’t want to say too much…
Important coaches
Before joining CF Montreal’s first team, the Canada international didn’t go through the Academy, but instead went through CS Saint-Laurent. There he realized his dream of major championships with visionary coaches.
In Major League Soccer, it was Wilfried Nancy who gave him his chance and didn’t hesitate to shake him in passing. The entire Québec football community can be proud that Koné is developing in Europe.
“I always wanted more than the others,” he said. At CS Saint-Laurent I had all the help I needed at this young age and the right people to advise me. Saint-Laurent was the defining moment for me because I had coaches who wanted me to reach a higher level. I was good, but I had to get better.