Giulian Biancone reflects on his career path at 26, crediting Thierry Henry with giving him his professional breakthrough during a turbulent spell at AS Monaco. Now playing for RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, the French defender has experienced multiple clubs, a major knee injury, and three trophies in Greece before arriving in Brussels.
Monaco Debut Under Thierry Henry
Biancone made his professional debut as a starter against Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in November 2018 at just 18 years old, playing alongside teammates Youri Tielemans and Nacer Chadli. Looking back on that night in an interview with RTBF, Biancone recalled feeling no fear. “I didn’t know anything… but I was never afraid. I just enjoyed the moment, loving the fact of being there: that day, I just understood that all of this was made for me,” he said. At the time, Monaco was managed by Thierry Henry, whose stint at the club lasted only 20 matches amid severe squad injuries and friction within the dressing room. Despite the difficult results—including a 4-0 defeat to Club Brugge under Ivan Leko—Biancone credited the Arsenal legend with launching his career. “As a coach, Thierry Henry also had a lot of charisma and tactical sense, but he arrived at a difficult time in Monaco. The dressing room leaders did not adhere to his character and his method: there was a break. But given the number of injured players, he also gave a chance to many youngsters, of which I was a part. He gave careers to quite a few guys like me: we all remain very grateful for everything he did for us,” Biancone explained.
Journeys Through Bruges, Troyes, and Nottingham Forest
Following his early development on the French Riviera, Biancone’s career took him through several different European leagues. He spent two separate loan spells in the Belgian Pro League with Cercle Brugge, where he played alongside Jérémy Taravel in defense. After his time at Cercle Brugge, he transferred permanently to Troyes before securing a €10 million move to Nottingham Forest in 2022. However, his time in the English Premier League was cut short after he suffered a torn cruciate ligament, limiting him to just three appearances for the club.
Revival in Greece and Arrival at Anderlecht
After leaving England, Biancone rebuilt his career with Greek side Olympiacos. The stint proved far more fruitful, yielding the first three trophies of his professional career and bringing personal milestones, including meeting his wife ahead of the birth of their child. Now 26 years old, the French defender has settled at Anderlecht, bringing a worldly perspective shaped by early trials and injuries. Reflecting on his nomadic path across France, Belgium, England, and Greece, Biancone admitted he initially envisioned a different trajectory. “I would have liked to have been the man of a single club, Monaco, a club that I continue to adore and where I experienced exceptional things. But that very quickly proved impossible,” he said.
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