Jean-Victor Makengo was interviewed on Udinese Tonight as part of the club’s unveiling of their new away shirt:
"I love the new shirt; it looks amazing and the colours are great. As for our friendlies here in Austria, while results matter it’s important to improve in every game. We’re happy for how we’ve done. The camp has been really intense and gruelling but we’re in good shape; we’ve done what we set out to do and we’re happy.
"As for the fact I’m going into my third Serie A campaign, I always seek to improve. At the end of last season I said that I was aiming to score more goals and assists this time around. I also need to step up as a leader; that’s what I try and do in training and in games.
"Regarding new coach Andrea Sottil, he’s a top manager who knows what he wants to do with his team. He’s very specific with his instructions as to how he wants us to play and we’re delighted with him. I’m working on my attacking play and polishing my best qualities. I want to score more and that’s what the coach has asked of me: to be in the right place at the right time.
"As for personal goals, I’m not setting any limits. Obviously I can’t score in every game but I want to be as decisive as I can be.
"We’re aiming to secure our place in Serie A as soon as possible and then beat our points total from 2021/22. We want people to enjoy watching Udinese play.
"Out of the newcomers Festy Ebosele has impressed me the most. He’s ready to play; it’s tough to come to Italy and slot right in which I’m aware of from personal experience, but I’ve already seen that he’s capable of making the difference.
"I’ve also got good things to say about Axel Guessand. He played great against Pafos; he’s just got to keep working hard and listening to advice. As he only speaks French I try to help him out."