Chanot: "Thanks to the club for the chance it gave me to come back. The fans? They deserve to become champions"

During the preseason in Abu Dhabi, Maxime Chanot spoke to the official website of New York City FC: "My first option was to stay in New York, I could go back to Europe, but before being a player we are human beings and I thank God and the club, Dome and Claudio who have given me full support and the possibility to stay. I'm happy to have stayed here and I want to win because the club deserves it. I'm really happy to be back and be part of NYCFC. This is my fourth season here and I want to return the trust the club is giving me".

What to say about your role? "I've been here for four years, I've seen how the club has grown over time, I think it's important to help young players out and in. When there are new and young players, they have to feel trust. I'll try to give the best in making the players feel good".

New York City FC without David Villa: "We probably lost the best MLS player. David has given a lot to this club, but football is this. We have to look forward, the club is strong enough and people know that the club will bring players to shorten the gap left by Villa. Even if we don't have David anymore we have to look forward, good players have already arrived and we just have to think about winning the playoffs, this is the club's goal. The atmosphere inside the team is good, I have to say that everything is ok. We are happy to be back on the pitch and can't wait for Sunday to play our first preseason game".

What are your expectations for the coming season? I don't like talking much before the season starts, because sometimes when you talk too much, nothing happens. We will try to become champions of MLS because the club deserves it and deserve the supporters who always give us great support. We must be honest and we must take responsibility for our fans, they deserve to become champions".

What message do you want to send to the fans? "We are truly proud of them, of their presence at Yankee Stadium. I want to thank them for the support they give us. We have only lost two games at Yankee Stadium thanks to their support, it is not a coincidence. We will try to give them what they deserve".