Interview

Leno - Koscielny is the perfect captain for us

Koscielny

As Laurent Koscielny prepares to make his first-team return after seven months out, Bernd Leno is certain the Frenchman will provide a major boost.

The German international has never played with our club captain, but has seen enough in his short time at the club to know how much value he adds - on and off the pitch.

"In training you see how he is talking to other players," Leno said. "We have many young players and he talks to them and for me he is a big personality in the team, in the dressing room. 

"Before Tottenham, he was not in the squad but five minutes before the game he said many, many good things about the history of the game, how important it is for the fans, the club, every player, so he is the perfect captain for us.

"He is a big personality and of course he has big quality. I think we should give him the time [to play]. The coach is calm with him because he was a long time injured. 

"I am happy for him that maybe he will play [against Qarabag on Thursday], I think he will play because he needs the confidence to play. His body needs also the feeling for the game. 

"Of course, he trained a long time for us but the games are more difficult because the game is different for your head. I am happy for him that he will maybe start on Thursday and of course he will be an option for the next weeks in the [main] starting XI."

 

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