Marseille midfielder Remy Cabella has said he has been given a new lease of life at Marseille because his new club play the ball more than Newcastle did.
Cabella, 25, joined Marseille from Newcastle on loan in August as part of the deal that saw Florian Thauvin move to Tyneside.
Following a difficult season in England, during which he scored only once in 31 appearances, the ex-Montpellier playmaker is rediscovering his form in France.
But he rejected L'Equipe's suggestion that he had "lost a year" at Newcastle.
"No," he told the paper. "I played big teams in one of the best leagues in the world.
"I had bad moments, it's true. I arrived in a team that weren't playing much football. At certain times, I wasn't enjoying myself.
"I need a team that plays the ball. I joined Marseille to rediscover something that suits me better."
Cabella recently said his confidence had taken a hit following his experience at Newcastle.
But he told L'Equipe he had not had ideal starts to each of the past two seasons.
"Don't forget that I haven't had a preseason in two years," he said. "I started up again with Newcastle directly after the World Cup.
"And this season I missed all the preparation because of a tear at the bottom of my thigh.
"I need to be at my best physically, because I give 100 percent."
