Mario Melchiot: “I follow my own path”

Mario Melchiot’s name is a suprising one during the Asia trip of Oranje. The defender, who played for Ajax and Chelsea among other clubs, made his come-back after some time as a player of French club Stade Rennes. Tonight, he’ll have to prove his worth again versus Thailand.

Melchiot played an interesting part in the transfer market. Melchiot is for the fourth time in a row transfer free. Eight years ago, the then 22 year old walked out of the door at Ajax, free as a bird. The youngster did the same thing at Chelsea, Birmingham City and now at Stade Rennes – at 30 years old – he again is free to roam where ever he wants.

“At least people can’t say I didn’t respect the contracts I had,” states Melchiot in Bangkok. “I never actually planned it this way, at Chelsea I even re-newed my contract but I do want to follow my own path and do what feels best for me.”

He left Chelsea in 2004, just when Jose Mourinho came. “ Some people say, why didn’t you wait, but it was a good moment to go. I was there for five years already and the new coach will always bring his own ideas. I am not English or a famous Dutch international, so I thought: time to move on. I didn’t want to end up on the stands. I am too much of a football fan for that.”

When signing at Rennes he chose to sign only for one season. “The club had ambition and wanted to sign me for many years. But I feel like an English player. The Premier League is in my veins. I don’t speak French, didn’t know the competition, so it was a move with risks for me. I told them that, they understood and we agreed upon one season. And it was quite a success!”

The mistake other players make, he says, is their dependence on their manager/agent.

“When you’re agent takes care of everything, you sort of follow his career-path… It needs to be the other way around. You chose the career you want, and he needs to facilitate. So, you have to think for yourself. I want to be in charge for 80% at least and the remaining 20% I am willing to depend on other people.”

Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyon are two French topclubs who want to sign the right-back. “We just missed the Champions League ticket with Rennes. We did so well, but we lost in the last minute of the last game… That was dramatic. Rennes is a bit like Ajax. Developing youthful talents and trying to play attractive, dominant football.”

This summer, Melchiot decided what he’ll do. Stay or move on. The number of interested clubs will increase, now Melchiot is part of Oranje again.

After three years van Basten, there is still no fixed rightback. Jan Kromkamp had the most games (10) on that position, but he sort of lost his position in the group.
“I always try to add value in defensive and in offensive actions,” says Melchiot. “That was Marco’s assignment for me and it worked out well. In France, I am one of the most offensive backs in the competition, but people in Holland don’t know this. There’s not a lot of French football on TV in Holland. But luckily Marco van Basten somehow remembered me.”