By: Nima Tavallaey
Congolese striker Benjamin Mokulu has been a revelation this season with Serie B outfit Avellino scoring 9 times in all competitions helping the Lupi position themselves in a playoff position after 25 matches. The player arrived in Italy via a somewhat different route which GianlucaDiMarzio.com found out when interviewing his agent Killian Vandersande of Eleven Management, thanks to his Italian partner Michelangelo Minieri. Eleven Management is Belgian agency who also represent Cheikou Kouyaté, Thomas Meunier, Dedryck Boyata, Noe Dussenne as well as Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany amongst many others. The agent of Mokulu answered about his future, since at the end of this season he will have only one year of contract left. The striker scored already 9 goals in 982 minuted which means almost 1 goal per match.
“Benjamin was playing for Bastia in Ligue 1 when the 2014/2015 season started, on loan there from Mechelen but he wasn't selected much at all which obviously caused him some frustration as all players want to play. So we tried to find another team for him and it ended up being Avellino because we knew an Italian Dr. who is living in Belgium and who also happened to be the son of Avellino's President Walter Taccone.”
Mokulu signed for Avellino in January 2015, something many players don't like doing due to it being in the middle of the season which could make adapting to new surroundings more difficult. How did Mokulu adapt?
“He needed a period to adjust and adapt since for example he didn't speak any Italian when he first arrived and so he didn't understand fully what the coach said. However, he worked very hard at every training session, learned the language and really tried his utmost to adapt and here we are a year later and he averages just under a goal every 90 minutes.”
That's impressive statistic which surely has drawn attention from clubs in the Serie A?
“Yes, this past January window there was a lot of interest from several Serie A clubs but also from China. However, Benjamin is very grateful to Avellino for the opportunity they gave him when he was having trouble finding playing time for Bastia, so he decided to remain with Avellino until the end of the season to help them to first reach the play-offs and after that even the Serie A.”
If Avellino were to gain promotion to the Serie A could Mokulu stay?
“Benjamin's aim is to play in the Serie A and he hopes that he can do so with Avellino. His contract with Avellino expires at the end of June 2017 so we are in no hurry to make a decision regarding his future. As I said he is very happy in Italy and Avellino and is focused on helping the team qualify for the play-off's. We will make a decision together with the club at the end of the season to find a solution that's best for both Avellino and Mokulu.”
You also represent other players that have been linked to clubs in Italy, like for example Jelle Vossen and Thomas Meunier. Starting with Vossen there was talk of a concrete interest from Atalanta...
“I don't understand where this rumour comes from because Vossen had already played competitive matches for two clubs in one calender year which according to the rules prevents him from representing a third club. We knew about Atalanta's interest but we didn't want to move him again only 6 months after he signed for Brugge.”
How would you describe Vossen as a player?
“He is a very technical striker who likes the ball at his feet. The style of football played in the Championship didn't suit him so we brought him back to Belgium and to Club Brugge where he's really been enjoying his football.”
How often have you spoken to Inter about Thomas Meunier?
“We knew through our Italian partner Michelangelo Minieri that Inter were looking for a full-back as did Napoli but that's about it.”
Pep Guardiola has been revealed as Pellegrini's replacement at Manchester City. Does this effect Kompany's future at the club?
“Vincent is a professional who is fully focused on returning back to full fitness to help City achieve success in every competition and to also lead Belgium to success in the Euro's. Guardiola is a top coach and Kompany is a top player, both have important work to do before the end of the season.”
