A Conversation With: Mamadou Doumbia

This season, the Watford FC matchday programme, The Hornet, is sitting down with members of the first-team squad for a conversation and a catch-up. 

For the Swansea City game we spoke to Malian striker Mamadou Doumbia, with his interview re-produced here in full.

Make sure to buy your copy of The Hornet for more exclusive player interviews, and lots more Watford content, during the remainder of the season.

Hi Mamadou, how are you doing today?

Today I am doing good, thank you.

How was training in the sun?

It’s not bad – it is the same weather as in Mali, where I am from, so it reminds me of home.

Do you get to visit Mali a lot?

Yes, I go back and visit as much as I can. I miss my family. Yes, I have a big family. Family is really important to me, and I play for my family. I also miss my friends, and being in Bamako, which is the capital city. 

What differences are there between Mali and England?

The weather is different, the language is different, and the food as well.

What English food have you tried?

I like to eat salmon and mashed potatoes. I have also tried a roast dinner (with gravy!), as well as fish and chips.

What is your favourite thing about England?

I like the weather! I like the fact it is cold. Sometimes in Mali it can get too hot.

You can tell in your post-match interviews that you have been taking English lessons – how is the learning going?

It is going well. Every week I have either three or four lessons. I only started to learn when I moved to the country. I had never done it before, so I have the Duolingo app on my phone to help me learn at home.

How do you practice your English?

By talking with people, and watching the TV.

What do you watch on TV?

I like watching films and series. I am watching Prison Break at the moment – Moussa [Sissoko] is watching it as well. He was the one who recommended it to me.

When Tom Cleverley and the coaches want to get a message across to you, do you understand what they are saying in English?

When I first moved to the country, I would get the messages translated, but now I can understand what Tom Cleverley is saying in English. The only thing is that he speaks too fast! When he speaks a bit slower, I can understand.

Do some of the other French-speaking players help translate for you?

Yes – Moussa, Imrân, Edo and Bayo all sometimes help me out.

How have you slotted into the squad?

Very well – everybody is my friend.

Is there anyone unexpected you have become friends with?

Moussa, because when I was younger, I used to watch him play, and now I play with him. It is like a pleasure, but also kind of emotional because I get so much happiness from playing with him. 

When you were a child, who were your favourite players?

My favourite player was, and still is, Lionel Messi. I also like Alexander Isak.

How have you found playing football in England?

It is like a big feeling, because everyone wants to come and play football in England. It is the best country for football in the world. It is very physical, very intense.

How do you manage the physicality?

You have to be very strong!

You have won two penalties so far this season – how do you feel about that?

I am very happy with that, but I need to keep on improving because I play striker, and when you play striker, you need to keep the ball, you need to score for your team and help the team – it is important for me. I won two penalties so far, but that is before. Now, for the future, I need to score a lot of goals for Watford.

You started in the derby against Luton – how did you find that?

I found it good, because it was my first derby for Watford, and I won one penalty, so it was good for me. Then, the team got three points, which is good for everyone.

You are very popular with the fans – how does that make you feel?

I feel good about that – it is so important for me, I need to keep going again, and I know I need to keep working hard.

Do you think the fans should sing a song about you?

Yes, for the future, after my first goal! So, when I start to score.

How do you think the chant should go?

The fans need to decide that one!

How do you feel you have settled in to living in England?

I’m happy because the area where I live is very nice, and I love the training ground, and the training sessions, and I have made friends with everyone at the club – players and staff.

Moving to England from Mali was a big move, especially given your age – how have you coped being away from your family?

It is difficult, especially when you are very young because you want your family by your side all the time. Coming to Europe was a big, big move, so because of my age I would like my family with me, but we are in touch every day on the phone, and in the future I would like them to come here and stay with me.

How do you spend your spare time?

After training I go back home, I watch TV, I go on my phone, and sometimes I go into London to eat and to shop.

What do you eat in London?

Pizza, burgers, and French food also.

We can tell from your Instagram that you like shopping in England! 

I have bought a lot of clothes here in England, and in that particular picture those clothes are from here. My team-mates like the clothes I wear! I don’t often get their opinions, but KB [Kwadwo Baah] has said that he likes my clothes. 

Are you religious?

Yes, I am Muslim.

Are you fasting for Ramadan at the moment?

Yes, I am. It is good, but also it is so difficult because I can’t eat from sunrise to sunset. When we train, I cannot drink water. It is more difficult this year because in the Championship you are running up and down every game!

How did you find out about your football talent?

When I was very young in Mali, I was playing in a local centre and everybody was telling me that I had quality, and to make sure that I kept working hard because one day I could make it to the top. Given that so many people kept telling me that, at some point I realised that, if all these people kept telling me, I decided it was worth working hard to try and get there.

You played very well in the Under-17 World Cup – what are your memories of that?

The big moment for me was the first game, where I scored three goals. It was a historic moment because I was the first player from Mali to score three goals in one game at a World Cup. 

Why did you choose to move to Watford for your next step?

I had many clubs interested in me, but the project that Watford offered was the best one. The fact it was in England played a part. Also, I was told that, as a young player, if I come to Watford and I perform here, there is a path to bigger clubs. 

What is your ambition with Watford?

I want to help the team go for the Premier League, and I want to score a lot of goals for the club.

When you do start scoring, have you got a celebration in mind?

I will celebrate with the fans, and then do this gesture [pointing to the head]. Because the mental aspect is vital, and finger on lips, because you should not talk too much.

Thank you for talking to us today Mamadou. What have you got on for the rest of the day?

I have an English lesson, and then I will go home and have a nap.