mfc*
18 May 2003, 10:56 AM
GEREMI says he thoroughly enjoyed his first season in the Premiership, commenting that he feels he probably hasn’t had a better campaign.
"That was one of the best seasons in my career," says the Cameroon international.
"To arrive in England and play in the Premiership for the first time and to play the way I have played pleases me.
"It wasn’t easy, but it was nice and I really enjoyed it.
"I came here to enjoy it, that’s why I made the decision to come in the first place."
The 24-year-old midfielder signed last summer on loan for the season from Real Madrid, where he had played no more than a handful of games in the previous 18 months.
It was a tribute to his stamina and fitness that he played every minute of every Premiership game, until limping off two minutes from the end of a goalless draw at_Manchester City in Boro’s final visit to Maine Road.
Ankle ligament damage sustained in that game proved to be serious enough to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
But it gave him time to reflect and before returning to Madrid Geremi told mfc.co.uk that while there were integral differences between the way football is played in England and Spain, he really enjoyed him time here.
"I’m not saying which is better, but English football is all about the Premier League and the Premier League is one of the best in the world," he commented.
"Here you have to compete in every game, you know that every Saturday you are going to have to fight. In Spain it is not the same.
"Here you have to be very, very strong and fit, even when you are playing the side at the bottom of the table it isn’t easy.
"But I enjoyed my first season in the Premier League, though I didn’t think I would score as many!"
In fact he hit seven_goals in 33 games.
"I’m not supposed to be a goalscorer, I am a provider, the one who sets it up for others," he laughs.
Steve McClaren_would love to bring Geremi back to the Riverside next season, but told told mfc.co.uk_this week_he_doesn’t yet know_whether that will be possible.
"That was one of the best seasons in my career," says the Cameroon international.
"To arrive in England and play in the Premiership for the first time and to play the way I have played pleases me.
"It wasn’t easy, but it was nice and I really enjoyed it.
"I came here to enjoy it, that’s why I made the decision to come in the first place."
The 24-year-old midfielder signed last summer on loan for the season from Real Madrid, where he had played no more than a handful of games in the previous 18 months.
It was a tribute to his stamina and fitness that he played every minute of every Premiership game, until limping off two minutes from the end of a goalless draw at_Manchester City in Boro’s final visit to Maine Road.
Ankle ligament damage sustained in that game proved to be serious enough to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
But it gave him time to reflect and before returning to Madrid Geremi told mfc.co.uk that while there were integral differences between the way football is played in England and Spain, he really enjoyed him time here.
"I’m not saying which is better, but English football is all about the Premier League and the Premier League is one of the best in the world," he commented.
"Here you have to compete in every game, you know that every Saturday you are going to have to fight. In Spain it is not the same.
"Here you have to be very, very strong and fit, even when you are playing the side at the bottom of the table it isn’t easy.
"But I enjoyed my first season in the Premier League, though I didn’t think I would score as many!"
In fact he hit seven_goals in 33 games.
"I’m not supposed to be a goalscorer, I am a provider, the one who sets it up for others," he laughs.
Steve McClaren_would love to bring Geremi back to the Riverside next season, but told told mfc.co.uk_this week_he_doesn’t yet know_whether that will be possible.