Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:32 pm
Cardiff new boy explains why he left Spurs
Friday, August 2, 2013
Steven Caulker says he had one eye on next summer’s World Cup when he chose to leave Tottenham for Cardiff.
The 21-year-old centre-back joined the Bluebirds from Tottenham in an £8million deal on Wednesday, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at Cardiff City Stadium.
The deal was a real coup for Cardiff boss Malky Mackay, with Caulker regarded as one of the best young defenders in Britain.
Caulker, who has one England cap to his name, made 28 appearances in total for Spurs last season but felt he needed to be first-choice at a Premier League club to fulfil his ambition of being part of Roy Hodgson’s plans in Brazil next summer.
He said: “If you ask any English player, they have got one eye on the World Cup.
“First and foremost I am going to have to work hard on and off the pitch to earn that sort of achievement, but it is something I am definitely working towards.
“It wasn’t that I wanted to leave Tottenham but I am at a stage in my career where I want to play regular football.
“Spurs have three fantastic centre-halves and it may have been a case of being fourth-choice this season and not getting as many games as I would have liked.
“I didn’t want to put my career on hold, I wanted to get out and get as much experience as possible and these opportunities don’t come around very often.
“I want to help Cardiff progress as a team and progress myself.”
Caulker has previous experience of playing in south Wales, having enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Swansea during the 2011-12 season.
His move to Cardiff is likely to add some spice to the derby fixtures between the two clubs, but he revealed he has received messages of support from his former team-mates at the Liberty Stadium.
“I enjoyed my time at Swansea and the people in south Wales are great so it was a no-brainer to move here,” he said.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Steven Caulker says he had one eye on next summer’s World Cup when he chose to leave Tottenham for Cardiff.
The 21-year-old centre-back joined the Bluebirds from Tottenham in an £8million deal on Wednesday, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at Cardiff City Stadium.
The deal was a real coup for Cardiff boss Malky Mackay, with Caulker regarded as one of the best young defenders in Britain.
Caulker, who has one England cap to his name, made 28 appearances in total for Spurs last season but felt he needed to be first-choice at a Premier League club to fulfil his ambition of being part of Roy Hodgson’s plans in Brazil next summer.
He said: “If you ask any English player, they have got one eye on the World Cup.
“First and foremost I am going to have to work hard on and off the pitch to earn that sort of achievement, but it is something I am definitely working towards.
“It wasn’t that I wanted to leave Tottenham but I am at a stage in my career where I want to play regular football.
“Spurs have three fantastic centre-halves and it may have been a case of being fourth-choice this season and not getting as many games as I would have liked.
“I didn’t want to put my career on hold, I wanted to get out and get as much experience as possible and these opportunities don’t come around very often.
“I want to help Cardiff progress as a team and progress myself.”
Caulker has previous experience of playing in south Wales, having enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Swansea during the 2011-12 season.
His move to Cardiff is likely to add some spice to the derby fixtures between the two clubs, but he revealed he has received messages of support from his former team-mates at the Liberty Stadium.
“I enjoyed my time at Swansea and the people in south Wales are great so it was a no-brainer to move here,” he said.
Re: Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:35 pm
True professional.
Re: Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 3:28 pm
Nice to have a player who wants to be here! 
Re: Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 3:59 pm
Should get some reaction doing the Ayatollah at the liberty. 
Re: Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:49 pm
Crazy to think the Swans did us a favour here.
Had Steven not played at the Liberty he may not have had such an easy decision in moving to South Wales.
Croeso Stevo
Had Steven not played at the Liberty he may not have had such an easy decision in moving to South Wales.
Croeso Stevo
Re: Cardiff new boy explains why he left Tottenham
Fri Aug 02, 2013 6:47 pm
the lad wants a game.how refreshing to hear in a age were people sit in man citys ressies on 60k pw 