We’re starting to think all new arrivals in the Premier League have to undergo press tests before doing any interviews.
At a guess, it probably includes a requirement to memorise the following phrases: ‘over the moon’, ‘the most important thing was that we got the three points’, ‘credit to the lads’, and – most importantly – ‘best league in the world’.
Stoke’s big-money recruit Xherdan Shaqiri has passed the test, as this interview with FIFA.com shows, and when you’re a Champions League winner who has traded the San Siro for the Britannia you might need to convince yourself more than anything else.
“Although I’ve only played a few matches in the Premier League so far, I feel I’ve arrived in the best league in the world,” Shaqiri said.
“Stoke are offering me the opportunity to continue developing both as a player and as a person. Above all I want to play, perfect my game and move forward with the team.”
He’s learning fast. To be fair, it’s the kind of attitude that Stoke fans will love to see.
