Mathieu Debuchy has cut a frustrated figure in recent months. After a positive start in his Arsenal career, he was unlucky to receive a number of big injuries. Since his recovery, he has found it difficult to force his way back into the starting eleven after the surprise emergence of star youngster, Hector Bellerin.
Opportunities in the first team have proved to be few and far between for Debuchy, having made just seven appearances for the Gunners this season. However compatriot and Aston Villa boss Remi Garde, may offer Debuchy a solution.
Garde admitted in his pre-game FA cup conference that he has had a conversation with his former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger about the prospect of bringing in Debuchy.
Garde said: “I had a conversation with Arsene a few days ago about some of the players, and Mathieu Debuchy was among these players.
“It’s too early and it won’t help me or anyone to go forward in this style to make too many more comments.”
Garde was remaining coy, given that new Chelsea boss, Guss Hiddink was seemingly annoyed at Garde’s public declaration of his interest in fellow Frenchman, Loic Remy.
“I understand the Chelsea manager has been a little bit upset hearing me speak about one of his players, so this week I won’t make any more comments about it,” Garde said.
“This is a problem I can understand from his point of view and I respect what he said, but I have to say that you asked me a question and I answered and maybe I shouldn’t.”
Garde recently said of Remy: “Loic is a guy I know well and of course it would be an interesting player for the team,” said Garde, who was assistant manager when Remy started his career at Lyon.
“He is part of some players I’ll try to attract to Aston Villa, for sure. Loic is a special one because he knows the country and the league. I have got some targets who could be at this level without knowing the country and the league.”
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde is a long-term admirer of Loic Remy’s talent.
However Hiddink is determined to keep all of his player’s at Chelsea and was critical of Garde’s interest in Remy, “You have to respect where the players are. If you are interested, talk first to the people with whom they are contracted. You cannot go into details.”
Meanwhile, Debuchy is vying for a place in France’s Euro 2016 squad. He has come out publicly in recent weeks about the need to be playing regular first team football.
Debuchy told RMC Radio that he’s open to offers.
“I’m waiting to talk to the boss, we talked earlier in the season on the subject. I have to accept the competition [from Bellerin] at the moment. But currently, I need playing time. It’s clear that I need to talk again with the boss.
“I’ll look at the offers to move,” continued Debuchy. “I love England and the football here, but why not return to France. In the summer Wenger told me we’d talk if I was not happy with my situation in December. It is now December.
“Of course I would be disappointed not to make the Euros, it’s probably my last chance to play in such a situation.”
