Three years after departing Paris Saint-Germain for Eintracht Frankfurt—initially on loan, then permanently—Éric-Junior Dina Ebimbe, 24, has returned to Ligue 1, joining Stade Brestois on a loan deal. Following his move, the French international sat down for an interview, discussing his homecoming, his tenure in Germany, and his future aspirations.
Q: What motivated your decision to return to Ligue 1?
A: To regain my confidence and match rhythm. A familiar league offers the ideal environment for this, as opposed to an unfamiliar one or a place where things haven`t progressed smoothly, which would invariably be more challenging. Returning to my home country and its top league naturally facilitates a smoother transition because I have established points of reference here. That’s precisely why coming back to France was crucial for me.
Q: What are your recollections from your previous stint in Ligue 1?
A: It was quite a tumultuous period! My initial Ligue 1 season with Dijon was personally fulfilling, yet unfortunately, we suffered collective relegation to Ligue 2. The following season, however, I returned to PSG, where I played alongside exceptional talents. I experienced various competitions, encountered a different pace, and pursued distinct objectives. It allowed me to express myself with superior players, and I felt immense pride, as PSG is my formative club. Playing for PSG was a dream, and we clinched the league title. So, progressing from relegation to a league championship within a year… I cherish many positive memories that significantly contributed to my experience.
Q: Were there other opportunities, and why did you ultimately choose Brest?
A: A move to Monaco didn`t materialize due to an injury I sustained at Frankfurt. To clarify, it was a bruise, not a chronic physical issue. I’ve never had significant physical problems in my career and I meticulously care for my body, so I`m generally fit. However, sometimes you pick up a knock. There was a lack of caution; I continued training with the bruise, which exacerbated it. Monaco informed me they needed an immediately fit player, which wasn`t my situation. I fully comprehend their reasoning; it was a logical decision. They required someone ready to play quickly, and I was sidelined for perhaps three or four weeks, leading them to pursue other players (Moatasem Al-Musrati). As for Brest? I observed their Champions League and league performances last year. They are an ambitious team, and their playing style perfectly aligns with mine. I developed in a 4-3-3 system at PSG, and Brest employs the same formation. We discussed reference points earlier; that`s vital for me. It simply suits my game. It`s also a close-knit club where everyone supports each other, making it an ideal environment for me to find my rhythm and rebuild confidence.
Q: Did Brest`s Champions League journey take you by surprise?
A: It certainly was a surprise! Many might have anticipated a tougher outcome, but they demonstrated their capability to compete against Europe`s top teams. They performed admirably, and frankly, their campaign deserves significant commendation. It will be remembered as a landmark achievement. It served as a powerful showcase, and now the club possesses renewed ambitions and a solid foundation, as we`ve all witnessed what Brest can achieve.
Q: What was it like playing Champions League football for your formative club?
A: I`ve played in the Champions League with both PSG and Eintracht Frankfurt. I`d describe the initial match as stressful, accompanied by significant apprehension due to venturing into the unknown. The standard is considerably higher, and the game moves twice as fast against the world`s elite players. Yet, it`s driven by passion; you give your absolute best and come to appreciate the immense privilege of participating in this competition, as it’s not an opportunity afforded to everyone. You seize the moment, enjoy yourself, showcase your abilities, and it also propels you to the next level. There’s a clear distinction between regular players and Champions League players, and simply being part of it fills you with pride.
Q: And what was the experience like training with stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Kylian Mbappé?
A: It profoundly enhanced my game, often without me even realizing it, simply by training alongside such world-class talents. This experience provides a three or four-year advantage over peers of the same age because you observe their methods. You might have acquired those insights much later otherwise. I gained invaluable experience with them, which saved me considerable time when I moved to Frankfurt.
Q: Will we see a different player than the one who departed Ligue 1 in 2022?
A: I believe I have evolved considerably. The German league is characterized by high intensity, featuring many quality teams. This environment significantly improved my game`s intensity. I`ve made substantial progress in that aspect. Now, I understand that a player in constant motion poses a threat. Here in France, there`s abundant individual talent, but I`ve also refined my ball-striking. Physically, I`m capable of both attacking and defending effectively for extended periods within a match. I think that in top-tier football, intensity is paramount. The distinction between a good player and an excellent player lies in their intensity and the ability to repeatedly execute actions with the same vigor throughout a game; that`s a crucial lesson I`ve learned. This will undeniably benefit me for the remainder of my career.
Q: You mention intensity, which is often considered a hallmark of French football. Is this perhaps why French teams, particularly PSG, have seen more European success recently?
A: A team that exhibits high work rate is a dangerous team. I believe this is a key factor in PSG`s effectiveness, beyond the exceptional individual quality of their players. A team that covers significant distances during a match is frequently rewarded. Many clubs have therefore recognized that players who consistently bring this intensity also contribute to earning points.
Q: How have your initial days at Brest been?
A: I`ve just started training to acclimate myself, as it was important to feel part of a squad again for a week of sessions, and we also played a friendly match. This is something I`ve truly missed, having been out of play for nearly eight months. It`s incredibly challenging to spend such a long time away from a team. The sensation of training again has been beneficial. Off the pitch, I`ve begun exploring the city—the shops, places to visit, and so on. I`m quite a private person, and I appreciate the city`s calm atmosphere. Everything seems perfectly aligned for me to have a successful and peaceful season here.
Many players here have already impressed me; I noticed it immediately. Individually, French players possess a certain edge. While there are still aspects to develop and gaps to fill to become a perfect player, every individual here demonstrates significant quality. They are intelligent players who collaborate effectively, like a chain where each member contributes to the group. There are strong foundations in place. It`s now my role to integrate and connect with them, but the individual qualities of the players have genuinely left a strong impression on me.
Q: Eric Roy is known as quite a demanding manager. Have you experienced that in the opening sessions?
A: There are clear expectations; he frequently reiterates key points. If they aren`t grasped, he repeats them. Both the assistant and the manager have a very clear offensive and defensive game plan, and these ideas are well-received; no player can claim not to understand the tactics. In my experience at other French clubs, there was often an over-reliance on the individual quality of certain players. Here, however, every day, every session—right from the warm-up—is conducted with high intensity, which prepares you well for the weekend match. We train as if we`re playing a game, fostering an excellent mindset.
Q: You must prove yourself in every training session, but more broadly, do you return to France with a sense of having something to prove?
A: Naturally, one always has something to prove. What I`ve endured—and I won`t shy away from it—wasn`t my fault: the injuries, being deliberately sidelined, these are aspects beyond my control; that`s simply how football works. However, even if I had arrived at Brest fully fit, I wouldn`t have come with the mindset of needing to prove something. It would merely have been a continuation, meaning I came to contribute what I can to the group. I haven`t returned to prove things individually; that would be somewhat selfish. When the team excels, individual concerns diminish. I simply want to give my best and help the team progress. That`s all.
Q: Have you set any personal objectives for the upcoming season?
A: I know myself as a player who significantly contributes offensively, often scoring numerous goals. So, if I can bring that to the team, without neglecting defensive duties, I recognize my capacity to offer a great deal in attack, and that`s an objective I`ve set for this season. Regarding a specific goal target? I`ve previously scored 10 goals in Germany. The league here is much tighter, tactically more robust, but I believe it`s achievable to score 10 again. For a midfielder like myself, I know I`m capable of hitting 10 goals, though defensive work remains equally important. However, given the chances, why not aim for 10 goals a second time; that would be fantastic!
Q: And what are the collective objectives?
A: What I frequently hear from the coach is the consistent phrase: “We must be difficult to play against.” In football, you experience both wins and losses, but the most crucial aspect is to be a challenging opponent, maintaining a solid structure. We cannot immediately declare ambitions of merely staying up or fighting for the Champions League. Time is necessary. With new players, we need to adapt to the tactics, and then we can establish concrete objectives.
