Dielna eager to compete for Revs
FOXBORO — The Revolution had a vibrant training session on Thursday, an atmosphere that certainly made an impression on newcomer Claude Dielna.
The French central defender, who is expected to contend for minutes and fortify the Revs defense, spent much of the session in one-on-one drills with coaches and training staff to help immerse himself into the system.
“I’m glad to be here. I was excited to come. I’m very excited to see the level and to be on the field,” said Dielna, who was signed by the Revs on July 28. “I know it’s a good group of players. We have good players, so that’s why I’m excited to come.”
Dielna said MLS was the smart choice, after spending the past three seasons with Sheffield Wednesday of the English Championship (second division).
“For me, it was the right move. I like a challenge. I talked with the coaches and that’s why I came here. I know it’s a big change. They want to win a lot of games and that’s why I am here,” said the 29-year-old Dielna.
“I have worked on my own a lot. I am fit. I would think I would need a few days to work with the head coach. I think the next game (New York City FC on Aug. 20), I will be ready. I think (tonight) is too soon. But uh, why not next weekend? But I am excited to work with the team and the coach will decide if I play or not. I will work hard and try to help my team.”
The Revs (7-10-5) host the Vancouver Whitecaps (9-8-4) tonight at Gillette Stadium. The Revs are second from bottom of the Eastern Conference, but are 7-2-2 at Gillette and looking for their third straight home victory.
Dielna has played both center back and left back but admits he has a clear preference for central defense.
“Me, I am a soldier. Any place they put me I will try and play,” Dielna said. “You know I am a center back but I think can do a good job for the team. Now, you decide. Me, I am here just to work.”
Revs general manager Mike Burns took a front row seat to watch Dielna’s first day on the job. His signing preceded the addition of Hungarian national team striker Krisztian Nemeth, who was acquired via a trade with the Columbus Crew on Thursday. Nemeth, who had been playing for Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League, owns MLS experience with Sporting Kansas City.
“We feel good about both signings,” Burns said. “We feel we added an attacker and a defender who both can come in and compete for minutes. Both of those guys make our team stronger. We feel like we’re a stronger team today than we were a couple of weeks ago. We’re looking forward to getting both of them acclimated into the group as soon as possible to begin their tenure here in New England.”
Revs coach Jay Heaps said the club will proceed slowly but not at a pedestrian pace with the new additions.
“Each day is important and obviously you don’t have the preparations that you’d like, but (Dielna) seems like he has a good base of fitness,” said Heaps. “He’s working with our strength and conditioning coach to make sure that he continues to get fit, but there’s going to be steps along the way.”
Burns can continue to tinker with his lineup until Sept. 15 when MLS rosters are frozen.
“You’re never finished,” Burns said. “Obviously, yesterday was a big day with the (transfer) window closing in terms of what we can do and can’t do now, going forward. We’ll continue until (Sept. 15) to see if there are any other players that we feel will make our team better.”