Sinama-Pongolle: “A voice inside told me Sporting was the club for me”
Forward hoping to kick-start career at the Alvalade
Florent Sinama-Pongolle is expected in the Portuguese capital early this week to take the routine medical tests and complete his transfer from Atletico Madrid to Sporting for a fee of six million euros. Although the deal is yet to be made official, the player himself is already talking as a Sporting player.
“Sporting is a big club. They always play in the Champions League or the Europa League. I felt wanted and it’s good to go to a team where you feel wanted. This will give me confidence,” Pongolle told French paper L’Equipe.
Great things were expected of Pongolle early in his career, and he was signed by Liverpool at just 18 years of age. However, he failed to make a significant contribution at the English giants. He has since represented several clubs, enjoying most success at La Liga side Recreativo de Huelva, where his form and goalscoring earned him a move to Atletico Madrid.
Ambition
And the speedy attacker, who can play as a centre-forward or a winger, still believes he can make a big name for himself in the game. “I also had offers from France, but there was a voice inside me that told me to go to Sporting. My goal is to stay there one or two years and then find a more interesting challenge.
“At this stage of my career I am not afraid to run risks. The Portuguese championship has already provided huge transfers, such as Nani, Anderson, Ronaldo, Lisandro, Cissokho, etc. This proves it is watched by the big clubs.
“It’s true that my time at Atletico Madrid didn’t go how I wanted, but it happens. I tried to show my ability every time I had the opportunity. But when there’s a player alongside you who scores 32 goals in a season, like Forlan, you have no choice but to keep quiet and show respect.”
by Tom Kundert
|
If this challenge isn't interesting enough for him why go in the first place?
I hope he's not stupid enough to think he can force his way into the France world cup squad.
Sinama-Pongolle.
Is this the type of comment that is going to endear him to the Sporting fans? Are ALL footballers stupid? How many of us would say something like that at an interview for a job?