Elye Wahi (22) has shared his initial observations on the contrasting nature of football in the Bundesliga compared to Ligue 1 in a recent interview with L’Équipe.
The young forward made the move to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt during the winter transfer window. This transfer occurred just six months after Olympique de Marseille acquired him, before subsequently selling him.
Prior to his brief spell at Marseille, where he scored three goals and provided one assist in 14 appearances, Wahi played for RC Lens for a season. His professional journey began at Montpellier HSC, where he made his debut in a match against FC Metz.
Having played for four different clubs in three seasons, Wahi has accumulated a wide range of experiences at a young age. In his conversation with L’Équipe, he spoke about the cultural adaptation required when experiencing German football. “It’s very fast,” he commented with a laugh. “There is more space, which is advantageous for attackers, especially for someone like me who possesses speed and can exploit space in behind.”
He further noted that the differences extend beyond just matchday experiences. “Even in training, it’s completely different. The coach emphasizes constant running and pressing. It’s a different approach – it’s not the French approach, and I am in the process of learning it.”
When asked to elaborate on the German mentality, Wahi explained, “They expect a greater level of effort in both training sessions and matches. You must maintain constant focus. This is characteristic of the major leagues. I’m not suggesting it’s superior to France, but it is distinctly different.”