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The Bournemouth full-back possesses a track record for starting strongly. At his previous club, which he joined at 13 and spent ten years at before moving in the summer to the south coast club, his introductory match saw him be introduced from the bench against Monaco. The match culminated with him setting up the equalizer with a wicked left-footed cross and then finding the back of the net for the victory. At eighteen years old, Truffert directed his effort beneath the opposition goalkeeper, who is set to play Bournemouth with his present side. “I ran off celebrating and dropped to my knees,” Truffert remembers, “as you imagine doing as a kid after getting your inaugural strike.”

An Impressive Beginning in England's top flight

Truffert has excelled for Bournemouth since his first match, beginning with a brave showing at Liverpool where he faced Mohamed Salah. In that match, he also outshone his predecessor and has played every minute in the top flight so far this campaign.

“We know we lost,” he says of the Anfield trip, “so it cannot be perfect, but I believe we performed admirably. It was exhilarating because it was my initial outing and it was a memorable evening. We have started positively, but now we must keep going and win this week.”

The Key to Adapting

Listening to Truffert explain his £11m move, the first transfer of his professional life, it is understandable he has integrated so smoothly. Club staff refer to an bright character and he is evidently switched on. He recognized the benefits of joining early in the summer, to settle during the preparatory period, and has dedicated the last two years taking English classes, knowing how valuable they would become if he fulfilled his goal of playing in England's top division.

“Hence I can talk in the language,” says the young defender, a modest line given this first major interview is conducted completely in English. “I think it is crucial to do something outside of football, to alter your thinking and focus on different matters.” When suggested to him that this says a lot of his nature, he avoids taking credit. “Maybe, but it was my family who advised me it was important.”

Personal History

His relatives, including his junior sibling Florian, a central player at Rennes, were in his company when he finalized the deal. Perhaps it was fate. Not simply due to Bournemouth had landed a longstanding target but because Truffert had lived in the town as a very young child. He was a native of Liège, Belgium, but when he was an infant, his family relocated to Southampton owing to his dad's job as a research facility head. They spent two years in the area.

“My parent claims that I took my first steps on the seaside in town,” Truffert reveals. “After those two years, we returned to Belgium for half a year and then moved to France.”

International Honors

He made his debut once by the French national team, in 2022, and the previous year he was part of the France side that won silver at the Summer Games, the award earning him a French knighthood. “I have the certificate to show I have the knighthood,” he declares, beaming with pride. His colleagues in the squad included a number of stars, some of whom he also played with at his former club. His coach also happened to be his role model.

“The Arsenal icon, a top French players,” Truffert says. “When I was younger I played as a left and sometimes right winger, so that’s why I idolized him. When I was about seventeen or eighteen I switched to left-back. At the Olympics I played primarily in defense, so his deputy advised me frequently, but when it was a collective meeting he [Henry] taught me a lot. His knowledge of the game was incredible, you could feel his experience and he aimed to impart it to us.”

Tactics and Mindset

Truffert was identified as an ideal fit for the manager's style, which is built on high energy. “When you display higher energy than your opponent, I think it’s the best way to win,” Truffert says. “You have to do other things, of course, but if you begin with coming out on top in challenges than your foe, you have a far greater opportunity to win. We cover a lot of ground because all members seek to push ahead, but all are committed to defending.

“For us it’s not just the backline that defends and attackers who attack. It’s everybody together. We like to perform all tasks collectively on the pitch – and this is the optimal method to win.”

Leadership and Experience

Truffert was captain at Rennes the previous campaign and at Bournemouth he leads by example; he prepares with match intensity and is regarded as a perfect professional. He is also vastly experienced for his stage with more than 200 first-team outings and has featured in the Europe's elite competition, UEFA's secondary tournament and UECL. In 2022-23, his old team did the double over a high-profile Parisian side. The English top flight, he says, was the subsequent natural move.

Truffert sounded out acquaintances and past colleagues, including a top player. “I think he’s one of the best dribblers I’ve witnessed. Another global star was also tough to play against and you learn a lot against such talents because they can flip a game,” Truffert explains. “Now at Manchester City, he plays more on the left, but when he was at Rennes he was often on the right so I had to confront him frequently in training.

“It was good for me to level up. He informed me the energy is very different to Ligue 1. In France, it is possibly more technical – here every game you have to work hard, with little respite.”

Life Off the Pitch

The periods of rest Truffert has had since swapping a hotel for a house last month has allowed him to explore the locality with his partner and their dog. “We like to {walk around the town|stroll through the area|expl