Faubert defends strike action
Julien Faubert has defended his decision to go on strike at Bordeaux.
New West Ham signing Julien Faubert has defended his decision to strike in order to force his departure from Bordeaux.The French midfielder refused to train with his former club in an attempt to pressure Bordeaux into selling him to Rangers, before West Ham gazumped the Scottish side with a bid of £6.1million.
After sealing his move to Upton Park, Faubert has explained his decision to strike after learning that Rangers had had a bid rejected.
"Sometimes you have to take extreme measures. I used that to show my unhappiness," Faubert told RMC.
"It was not a lack of respect towards the club. I will never disassociate myself from Bordeaux, because they are a club who have been enormously useful to me in my career, who made me progress and allowed me to become an international.
"They remain a club very dear to me, like Cannes where I started."
Reflecting on the circumstances that saw him move to East London rather than Glasgow, Faubert spoke of his delight at joining one of the biggest leagues in world football.
"West Ham are a Premier League club," added Faubert. "That was a dream. I love this league. It suits my game."
Bordeaux have also faced mounting speculation over the future of another star midfielder in Rio Mavuba, and could well turn to Troyes' Blaise Matuidi if the French international departs.
Auxerre have also been linked with Matuidi after Troyes' relegation, but the Under 21 international clearly prefers a move to Les Girondins.
"Bordeaux are a great French club that exists at a European level," Matuidi told La Gazzette des Transferts. "I am happy that such a club are interested in my services.
"They are not the only club interested in me. I know that my progression would be possible with Les Girondins. I am thinking about my future."
