' Mat Daehli: it's been difficult/Did not want to leave '

Found this in a different forum, interesting since it was claimed he wanted to leave. Doesn't sound like it.

Daehli: Its been difficult
Fri Jan 09, 2015

Freiburg Ready Mats Møller Dæhli (19) is not fond of talking about what happened in the fall, but does not deny that it was a tough period.
The 19-year-old came to Cardiff with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in January window a year ago. It started very well with promising substitutions and games in the Premier League and it took only minutes before the fans took to him.

In his first season, which was a heavy season for the team and ended with relegation, he played 13 games and scored one goal in the Premier League.

But after only eight points in seven matches at level two, Solskjaer was removed as manager. This was probably the most important factor for why the fall that followed was difficult for Dæhli. He only got nine games in the Championship. Seven starts and two as subsitute.

- How have you been?

- Well i can't say its been fun. I gradually realised what the situation was and I tried to keep myself in shape for international games. I figured that was what the only arena i would get to play games in the fall. What I am happy about is that I played four or five very good international games. Considering that I played so little at club level i am happy about that, said Dæhli to Sporten.com.

- Did it suck, and what were you thinking?

- I just want to play, but eventually I realized that it could be quite difficult. I tried to train extra hard and make the best out of it. But I do not want to talk very much about what happened at Cardiff.


Coach Russell Slade stated in November that Dæhli struggled with hip problems and that his gait made the situation worse. Therefore he had not have seen enough to consider the midfielder.

- I did not understand much of it. I had a hip problem that we managed to keep at bay. There was one training session I wasn't at, so I think he had enough basis to consider me as a player.

- Strange to say that you were injured if you were not then?

- I can not comment on it, he says. He said it. It was a difficult period. But I'm pleased that we could solve the problem in the best possible way, as i see it, being the way that it was.


After Solskjaer exit he has not talked very much with the former coach.

- Not much. Only a few times. I'll let him get some peace and be with his family.


Now he's looking forward to a fresh start at his new club. This week he conducted his first training session with the team.

- I got an incredibly good feeling about the club. The plans they have for me, how they will develop me and how they play and think football, says Dæhli about why the choice fell on the German Bundesliga club. They followed the teenager for a long time, made a a bid for him which was turned down by Cardiff in the summer. Their manager has been at the club for over a decade and is known for developing young players
The Youngster says he is particularly encouraged by the way his new team play. He speaks enthusiastically about what he has seen so far.

- How they push high up on the pitch and rotate in front, for example. I think it can be very fun. I must train very hard. I have not played games for very long. But they know it well, and its good that we got a training camp before the season starts again.
They run a lot and are very concerned that. They are also high on the running statistics. They need to be able to regain the ball high. I would like to develop that part of my game. What I think is cool, is how they play when they win the ball. They keep the ball at the ground and attack with pass and move combinations and fullbacks coming high up on the pitch. Its exciting.
Of course they cannot promise me games, no one ever can can. I must show that I'm good enough. But I really believe in how they communicate and how they develop players. I needed that right now.

Sporten.com ‏@Sporten_com 4h4 hours ago
Mats Møller Dæhli om Cardiff-nedturen: – En tung periode http://www.sporten.com/nyhet/daehli-om- ... ng-periode … #sporten_com #plnor #blnor #2pl #2sporten @matsdaehli

Interesting reading and you can't help but feel slightly sorry for the boy based on his account of things. I think it's best for a parties that he moved on though, he's not a luxury that we can afford to use right now and if we were to have kept him then it would have hampered his development. In a few years I can see him being an incredible player, but we need players for now, not the future. Also, I can see that this is going to get a lot of people calling Slade clueless etc. I believe it wasn't Slades decision to sell him, his excuses of not playing him were merely a coverup or the fact that we were letting him go.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, the two new signings looked positive yesterday and seemed to be exactly what we need, players that will give their all for the club and run through walls for each other. Let's not dwell in the past and in the red days, we're back in blue now, the dawn of a new era!

The day after he leaves suddenly Slade thinks it's a good idea to play a free flow player. The kind of role perfect for Daehli, not suitable at all for Noone. He doesn't have the vision or skill to do it. Big loss for City, and no doubt he will go on to bigger and better things. Slade messed up big time on this one, if it at all was his desition - doubt it..

The day after he leaves suddenly Slade thinks it's a good idea to play a free flow player. The kind of role perfect for Daehli, not suitable at all for Noone. He doesn't have the vision or skill to do it. Big loss for City, and no doubt he will go on to bigger and better things. Slade messed up big time on this one, if it at all was his desition - doubt it..

No not his decision same as Newcastle Liverpool Sunderland managers, even man city have a committee all had same problem owners decided who comes who goes its called modern football?

All about opinions and lots on here think he's to lightweight for champ!

Daehli is a very promising player, whose best position is 'in the hole' behind a single striker. We need to play this formation to get the best out of our wingers and Whitts, however we need a goal-scoring number 10 and Mats never looked like scoring. Ravel Morrison is closer to that, but I'm not sure about his attitude.

Interesting reading and you can't help but feel slightly sorry for the boy based on his account of things. I think it's best for a parties that he moved on though, he's not a luxury that we can afford to use right now and if we were to have kept him then it would have hampered his development. In a few years I can see him being an incredible player, but we need players for now, not the future. Also, I can see that this is going to get a lot of people calling Slade clueless etc. I believe it wasn't Slades decision to sell him, his excuses of not playing him were merely a coverup or the fact that we were letting him go.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, the two new signings looked positive yesterday and seemed to be exactly what we need, players that will give their all for the club and run through walls for each other. Let's not dwell in the past and in the red days, we're back in blue now, the dawn of a new era!

Good post. But one thing, massive difference between forcing a 19 year old guy out and giving him a loan spell at a club he can develop. Thats what most clubs with long term planning in place would do.
He went to the bundesliga which is a massive step up, a club at a higher level is wiling to give him a go then it's more about prioritoes right?
You may be right it wasn't slades desicion but looking at the kind of players slade prefers and the other ones he left out. I am not sure it's as simple as tan wanted to sell. Reckon its a case where he wasn't in slades immediate plans, and happen to be a one of few player the club could get a good fee for. Combo of slade and cost cutting.

I also think Slade should have played him. It's not like our midfield is great by any stretch of the imagination. Noone isn't great in his wing role just now and he really doesn't have a clue playing ANY other role.

I don't hold with the idea that it wasn't Slade's decision, That's just a ready excuse for continued Tan bashing. If Slade wanted him then he could have backed him publicly, a bit like he's doing now with Marshall "Slade issues hands off to other clubs re Marshall".

I think it's more likely Slade wants rid of most of the players associated with the former Manager (certainly beginning to look like this) and for me that's a sign of real weakness.

Overrated.

Daehli was one of our best players and great potential. If this post is correct, then it reflects REALLY badly on Russel Slade. If it wasnt his decision he should not be a manager.

Not going to overhype him and say he was the next messi. But he was the best young prospect at this football club. Yes ok he an into blind channels sometimes and seemed lightweight, but the lad was 19 it's to be expected that where development comes into it. Anyone who knows football could see the pure potential in him and his attitude and work rate was second to none. It's clear we were lied to here about his injury, why couldn't Slade just say 'he's not in my plans'.

Didn't score 30 goals in his time with us so Cardiff fans didn't rate him. A player has to be good instantly or get moved on. Patience not a word for Cardiff fans.

It really does make you wonder what sort of footballing philosophy moving forward our club has.