Despite a frustrating result against AS Monaco this weekend, RC Strasbourg defender Saïdou Sow continued to impress. He led the team in clearances, tackles, and interceptions, and silenced the always-dangerous Takumi Minamino with ease. Initially a replacement for the injured Ababkar Sylla, the Guinea international, signed from AS Saint-Étienne, has become an integral part as his club have continued to show resolve, even in the face of disappointment.

Born in Conakry, he came through the academy with Les Verts, but after they had failed to win immediate promotion last season, he joined Dilane Bakwa and Junior Mwanga in heading to Alsace from Ligue 2. While the two former Bordeaux players have largely been successful, with Mwanga’s industry and Bakwa’s creativity key to the team’s aggressive style of play under Bakwa, Sow has had to bide his time to come into the team, with the January departure of Gerzino Nyamsi and injury to Sylla hastening his inclusion in the team’s back line.

Here’s a bit more about the defender, who is still just 21 despite already having racked up more than twenty caps for his country and sixty in professional football. He spoke with Racing in an interview printed in the club’s digital program, and we’ve provided some excerpts.

You joined the Racing Club de Strasbourg this summer, can you trace your journey and your beginnings in football?
I was born in Conakry, Guinea. I arrived in France at the age of 8, in Neuilly-Sur-Marne. Playing football there, I progressed there up to the U-15 age group before joining AS Saint-Etienne. I signed my first professional contract in September 2020 and in the summer of 2023, I decided to sign for Racing Club de Strasbourg.

Sow was then questioned about his prodigal rise, having gone from the U-19s to the first team with Les Verts in 2020:

Can we say that this rapid development is also the case with the Guinean national team. At only 21 years old, you have already played in two Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON)?
It’s true that this is also the case regarding the national teamn. But I think it is also due to the evolution of football, to the current context. We are seeing more and more players who start playing at the highest level very early. Concerning myself, I would say that I went quickly, but without skipping steps.

This summer, you decided to leave Saint-Etienne to join Racing. How and why did you make this decision?
I felt that I needed a new project, that I was reaching the end of a cycle at Saint-Etienne and that I no longer necessarily had the confidence of the coach and the staff. It had become challenging, I no longer really felt a sense of place and I felt the need for a change of scenery, to find a new challenge with a healthy environment, where they help me to continue my progress in order to reach my goals. Strasbourg was the best option for me.

"Saïdou has always remained focused, he has always worked very well. The team needs him today. He still has a lot of progress to make but he is gradually establishing himself little by little." #MHSCRCSA pic.twitter.com/hepvPYvKSJ

— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) March 1, 2024

However, your beginning at Racing was tough, with little playing time. How did you experience this period?
It’s true that it was a difficult time. By leaving Saint-Etienne, I was sort of stepping out of my comfort zone. I told myself that I had just arrived at a new club, and that when you change clubs like that, it's not always easy, everything is not always rosy. I told myself that I had to be patient, continue to work hard every day to prove myself and show that I could be counted on. Prove that I have the ability to play, to perform. This is the mentality that I have managed to keep until now.

You have now been playing recently, even being as a starter in the last four Racing matches (including one in the Coupe de France). Do you feel that you are gaining strength?
I am feeling good again. It feels really good to play again. I hope to continue like this but it is important to continue working, again and again, as I have done from the beginning in order to be even more efficient.*

This efficiency was on full display this afternoon, and more composed performances at the back will be needed as the Alsatians hope to keep their heads above water in the relegation battle.

*Quotes from https://www.rcstrasbourgalsace.fr/passion-racing-s-sow-travailler-dur-pour-faire-mes-preuves/