Marseille’s Souleymane Diawara: I Prefer Playing Next To Hilton Than Gabriel Heinze

Olympique de Marseille centre-back Souleymane Diawara has stated that he would rather play in the heart of the defence next to Hilton as opposed to Gabriel Heinze.

Les Phoceens’ rearguard has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with Didier Deschamps electing to make an alteration by recalling the Brazilian defender, who is a two-time Ligue 1 Team of the Year member, into the middle of his back four and shuffling Heinze out to the left at the expense of Taye Taiwo. This is a move that certainly seems to suit Diawara better.

“’Gaby’ was formed as a full-back and we both have similar games, we are both aggressive players,” Diawara stated to Football365. “It’s true that Hilton is a true defender. It’s easier to adapt to someone who was already formed as a centre-back, but I try to play my game.”

Olympique Lyonnais are OM’s opponents on Sunday, which means a confrontation against Lisandro Lopez, who has earned rave reviews in France for his strong early season performance.

“Lisandro Lopez is a good player but fine. It doesn’t bother me that I don’t know my opponent,” the rugged centre-back continued to France Football.

Finally, he was asked about whether he would prefer to still be playing with Bordeaux, from whom he moved to OM in the summer.

“They are first [in Ligue 1] and qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, but with the word ‘if’ we could go skiing in Senegal!” he laughed.

Marseille’s position is certainly nothing to joke about at present - defeat could see them potentially fall ten points off the Ligue 1 pace.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com