GRADEL DISMISSES CARDIFF & HULL LINKS
Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:39 pm
St Etienne winger Max Gradel has dismissed suggestions that he could be set for a return to England following reported interest from Premier League new boys Cardiff City and Hull City.
The former Leeds star moved to the Ligue 1 club in 2011 after collecting the player of the year award at Elland Road, and the 25-year old has gone on to establish himself as a regular for both club and the Ivory Coast.
Gradel is currently sidelined with a knee injury he picked up in March and he says that his recovery is his main priority at the minute.
"I am being linked with a return to England but to be honest I am more interested in healing my injury," he told Sky Sports. "I have been out now for four months - hopefully I will be OK in two months' time.
"It has been difficult for me not to help St Etienne to win the cup. I am part of the team but I was not there to play the final. We finished fifth as well so we will play in the Europa League.
"I love England but at the moment I like it here in France. Hull City and Cardiff are good teams but the Premier League will be tough for them, but they can surprise like Swansea."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8781447/St-Etienne-winger-Max-Gradel-has-dismissed-talk-of-a-return-to-English-football
Haven't seen too much of Gradel for St Etienne, but he's been very good on a few occasions for the Ivory Coast. He was known to have a pretty poor attitude at Leeds, but he may have matured by now.
Wasn't there talk of City interest in a St Etienne player a few weeks ago?
The former Leeds star moved to the Ligue 1 club in 2011 after collecting the player of the year award at Elland Road, and the 25-year old has gone on to establish himself as a regular for both club and the Ivory Coast.
Gradel is currently sidelined with a knee injury he picked up in March and he says that his recovery is his main priority at the minute.
"I am being linked with a return to England but to be honest I am more interested in healing my injury," he told Sky Sports. "I have been out now for four months - hopefully I will be OK in two months' time.
"It has been difficult for me not to help St Etienne to win the cup. I am part of the team but I was not there to play the final. We finished fifth as well so we will play in the Europa League.
"I love England but at the moment I like it here in France. Hull City and Cardiff are good teams but the Premier League will be tough for them, but they can surprise like Swansea."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8781447/St-Etienne-winger-Max-Gradel-has-dismissed-talk-of-a-return-to-English-football
Haven't seen too much of Gradel for St Etienne, but he's been very good on a few occasions for the Ivory Coast. He was known to have a pretty poor attitude at Leeds, but he may have matured by now.
Wasn't there talk of City interest in a St Etienne player a few weeks ago?
Re: GRADEL DISMISSES CARDIFF & HULL LINKS
Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:49 pm
Don't know if I would want him here after a 6month injury. Need someone to hit the ground running.