Lille: The Lucas Chevalier Interview

At just 22, Lille's goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has become a key figure in the league and in Europe. In this interview, he opens up about the upcoming derby against RC Lens, his close bond with Mike Maignan, and his approach to penalties.

You joined LOSC’s youth academy just before you turned 13, but the first club that reached out to you was RC Lens…

"Everyone knows I’m from Calais, an area where three-quarters of the people support Lens, so I have Lens fans in my family. When I was a kid playing for AS Marck, RC Lens approached me first. That’s where I had my first trials with a professional club. But I was very young, probably about 8 or 9, so it was too early to leave home, and I stayed with my local club. Lille approached a few years later, and I started doing trials with them, alongside some continued trials with Lens, although they became rarer. Things with Lens eventually stopped after they did a growth test on me—a wrist x-ray—and decided I would be too short. Meanwhile, I continued with Lille, and after signing there, I grew about 10 centimeters a year! I always appreciated LOSC, but I just loved football. When I got the chance to try out at Lens, I took it. But when things got serious with Lille, it felt even better!"

With Lens supporters in your family, how are things during the derbies?

(Laughs) "It’s better now! My brother played for Lens from U14 to U16, but he’s now a LOSC supporter, like my parents. They’ve seen me grow up with LOSC and naturally support their son’s club! They come to every game. A lot of my uncles and cousins are still Lens fans, though. I know there are two games a season where I don’t have the whole family rooting for me, but it’s all in good spirits—never a war!"

Some young players tend to get carried away, but those who work with you say that’s not a risk for you…

"My popularity with supporters has changed between my loan at Valenciennes and now. Fans and a part of the general public know me, whereas in Ligue 2, you stay under the radar. I also gained visibility through the Espoirs (French U21s), but I know where I come from—a small village in the North where people are very humble. You have to live your life simply. It depends on your upbringing, your environment… If those things are stable, there’s no reason to get carried away. I also work with a psychological coach, who helps me maintain confidence without getting overexcited. I’m naturally confident on the field, but there are always things to improve to get closer to 100%. So we discuss difficult moments or situations I’ve faced or might face one day to be better prepared. If something goes wrong, it’s important to talk about it. No matter your age or experience, you can always improve."

“You can’t show weakness.” They say Ligue 1 requires more focus and attention, especially for a goalkeeper…

"I jumped right into big matches, starting on OM’s pitch, then Lens for my fourth game, with Lyon and Monaco following soon after. I was thrown in the deep end. But I didn’t change my approach. I just told myself, ‘Let’s go!’ (laughs). Although I come across as very confident, I’m human. I feel emotions, and there’s always something going on inside. But projecting confidence is crucial. I’m certainly more confident now than I was at the beginning. Once you play certain kinds of games, you feel more comfortable facing them again."

When you say you need to appear confident, is it more for the crowd or your teammates?

"Both. You can’t show weakness. It’s also a way of reassuring yourself. I’ve always operated like that, and now, playing in Ligue 1, it’s even more part of my job."

Although you were often playing above your age level, did you immediately feel comfortable commanding your defense, especially with experienced center-backs?

"You have to! Any defender appreciates knowing there’s someone behind them who’s invested. Now, you do adapt to who’s in front of you. You might hold back a bit and always remain respectful. When you’re talking to a player like José Fonte, who’s experienced everything in his career, you sometimes need to be more careful. But as far as gameplay remarks or advice, it’s well-received. A goalkeeper has to lead their defense. Over time, you gain more credibility and authority to guide your teammates."

Do these experienced defenders guide you on the pitch as well?

"Yes, they talk to me during the pauses in play, free kicks… They might ask me to position myself a certain way, to communicate more to inform them of what’s happening behind them. When the ball is out of play, it’s a good moment to exchange a few words."

"Mike Maignan was like an older brother to me." In an interview with Ligue2.fr, you mentioned that Mike Maignan naturally contributed to your growth. How so?

"I worked with him for two years, and he was like an older brother. He could have ignored me, but instead, he took me under his wing, paying close attention during every session. He had high standards and didn’t hesitate to yell at me if I wasn’t doing things right. He taught me a certain mindset and technique. We’re different keepers, but we have a lot of similarities in our playing style and demeanour. If you compare images of Mike and me, there are things that look alike. I looked up to him and tried to replicate some things I saw. Having that close bond gave me confidence. Today, he’s where he deserves to be, and if I can follow in his footsteps at LOSC, my future looks promising!"

You mentioned a friendship with Mike Maignan. Do you still keep in touch?

"Exactly. We don’t see each other often, but we text and call regularly, even analyzing my matches sometimes. He’ll tell me if something didn’t look right in my game, and we’ll talk it out. Mike is direct—if he has something to say, he’ll be blunt! Sometimes he doesn’t even say hello—he just dives right into feedback (laughs). When that happens, I wait a bit before answering because I don’t want to say anything stupid. Mike is quite a character!"

There’s also that story about the penalty you saved against Lens in October 2022…

(Cuts in) "Yes, it was my fourth Ligue 1 game, second at Pierre-Mauroy, and my first derby! LOSC had lost three derbies the previous season, so the fans had high expectations. We were at a crossroads, alternating wins and losses… We knew a victory against Lens could build momentum. On the day of the match, I was in my room in the dark, and Mike called me on FaceTime. I turned on the light, groggy, and he said, ‘I didn’t realize the derby was tonight! No mistakes—you need to win, and you’d better do your job!’ I reassured him, and a few hours later, I saved a penalty, and we won 1-0! It was a turning point in that match and even in the season because a derby result can greatly impact a club’s momentum… If I hadn’t stopped Sotoca’s penalty, the season might have gone differently. After the game, I immediately thought back to Mike’s call. It felt like a sign!"

“People saw Mike Maignan in me.” Mike Maignan has become known for stopping penalties. Have you ever asked him for tips?

"No, we never really talked about it. Maybe he has a special technique, but I think he mainly created positive energy by saving several penalties early on. Now, every shooter facing him is overthinking… He’s built an intimidating aura. I’m not sure he has a particular method; it’s more of a psychological advantage over the shooter. When there’s a penalty, the odds favour a goal, but if you can stop one now and then, it can make a huge difference in a match!"

During your loan at Valenciennes, you said some fans feel as if they saw Mike Maignan in you…

"Yes, at first! Early on, I had a lot of energy since I was returning from a knee injury (meniscus). People saw Maignan-like traits in my movements, my saves… I’d picked up a few things from Mike. But he’s Mike Maignan, and I’m Lucas Chevalier. We’re almost the same height and build, and while I’ve learned from him, we each have our unique qualities."

With such a model to follow, is there a risk of trying to emulate everything he does, even if you might not have the same physical characteristics?

"I absorbed everything he offered me while he was here. Now that Mike’s left, I watch him with Milan from time to time, but my path depends on me. He helped when we were together, but now, it’s up to me to forge my own path."

(Interview initially published in French on 23/10/2023)