Cozza: 'Sakho is the pillar of our team' | OneFootball

Despite a summer of upheaval, Montpellier are currently in the midst of an impressive season and summer recruit Mamadou Sakho is at the heart of a renaissance on the south coast.

Olivier Dall'Oglio's men were dealt a double blow in the summer when they lost attackers Gaëtan Laborde and Andy Delort to Rennes and Nice respectively.

The likes of Téji Savanier, Stephy Mavididi and Florent Mollet have carried the candle for Montpellier so far this term but it has been the arrival of defender Sakho that has impressed many at the club, not least his central defensive partner Nicolas Cozza.

Revival

Sakho is currently enjoying some of the best form of his career after an injury-laden spell at Premier League club Crystal Palace and his choice to return to Ligue 1 is paying dividends, helping his team climb into seventh place, putting them firmly in the mix for European qualification next season

"He is a true leader," said Cozza of the former Paris Saint-Germain captain. "He is vocal in the changing room and lifts each and every one of us. Defensively, he is the boss. He always gives us advice and guides us in games. He fills us with confidence and is the pillar of our team."

Despite a disappointing collapse at Saint-Étienne on Saturday, Montpellier have shown more defensive solidity with 33 goals conceded (+5 goal difference) after 23 matches this season compared to the same stage last season when they had given up 42 goals (-7 goal difference) and Sakho's presence has been a major factor in the turnaround of the club's fortunes.

Inspiration

Cozza, a France Under -21 international, happily admits his fortuity at playing alongside Sakho - somebody he has admired for many years. "He is an important person to me. When I was younger he was somebody I looked up to and I still do now. It's incredible that we are now teammates.

"He challenges me to be a better player and his performances so far this season have been outstanding. He sets the standard that I want to reach and playing with him every day raises my level of play."

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