Petr Cornelie explains his departure from Monaco: « It was difficult to find my place in the team »
Betclic ELITE - Petr Cornelie, stopping by Strasbourg to train, has made official his departure from AS Monaco. In search of responsibilities and playing time, the Alsatian big man has signed with Turkish promoted team Esenler Erokspor Istanbul.
Photo Credit : Sébastien Grasset
Back in Strasbourg for a family and sports break, Petr Cornelie (2.11m, 30 years old) discusses in L’Alsace his season with AS Monaco, marked by collective and personal frustration. Looking for a fresh start, the 2024 French champion has decided to bounce back in Istanbul with promoted team Esenler Erokspor.
A dense but frustrating season in Monaco
At the Strasbourg Basket Center, Petr Cornelie trains in a studious atmosphere alongside other French big men like Alexandre Chassang and Bodian Massa. But it’s mainly off the court that the Alsatian is taking a new turn, after a titleless season with AS Monaco.
« It’s disappointing. We had a good season, but we always lacked the finish. (…) We weren’t good at rebounding, » he analyzes in L’Alsace lucidly, particularly referring to the lost EuroLeague final. Despite an impressive win total – over 70% – and three finals played (Leaders Cup, EuroLeague, Betclic ÉLITE), the Roca Team finished empty-handed.
« Any team would have signed for that. The most frustrating thing is not winning the trophies in France, » he adds.
In search of a clearer role
Arriving in Monaco after his first EuroLeague season with Real Madrid, Petr Cornelie hoped to find a real role in the team. But the former Nuggets player struggled to find his place. « It was difficult to find my place in the team. I was bouncing around here and there. When you come back to France and you’re at Monaco, you want to have a role, to show what you can do. (…) What I managed to do at Real, or even at Pau or in the G-League, I couldn’t really reproduce this season. It’s a bit frustrating. »
Despite having one year left on his contract, he preferred to follow his desire for renewal. This Wednesday, he officially signed with Esenler Erokspor Istanbul, promoted to the Turkish first division, with the clear objective « to have a real role. »
Heading to Istanbul
While waiting to pack his bags for Turkey, Petr Cornelie is still enjoying a few days in Alsace, between training sessions and family time. A refreshing summer stopover before embarking on a new challenge, with the ambition to become a key player in Turkey.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
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