The Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City UEFA Europa League fixture will offer the public a special duel as Edin Dzeko is set to meet his childhood idol, Shevchenko.
We don’t always have strong views as kids. And if sometimes, they are, they can change through the seasons depending on circumstances. That’s exactly the case for Edin Dzeko who had 2004 Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko as his childhood idol.
Dzeko is one of the few lucky Bosnians to have made it this far in world football; perhaps, the Manchester City striker would thank Shevchenko for inspiring him on his road to the top. But now that Edin Dzeko has fulfilled his dream of playing in the English Premier League – which is regarded by many as the best league in the world, he has no intention of emulating the Ukrainian.
Why? Because Shevchenko went to England as a capable hero for Chelsea supporters, but left the country with a miserable image – the image of a flop. As a Blue, Shevchenko never managed to convert his £30M price tag into prowess on the pitch for whatever reasons.
In two seasons and 75 appearances, the Ukrainian striker scored only 21 goals. His nonchalant body language eventually annoyed Chelsea who finally got rid of him. In short, the man that ruled in the Serie A between 1999 and 2006 wasn’t the one that the English Premier League came to know.
This is the sort of career that Edin Dzeko doesn’t want. The ex-Wolfsburg player landed at Manchester City for £27M and he is resolute to let his transfer remain in history books as a successful one. Dzeko explained things to The Telegraph concerning as the Sky Blues prepare to affront Shevchenko’s Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Europa League, saying:
“He [Andriy Shevchenko] was my idol. I met him a few years ago when Wolfsburg played in Milan... and we exchanged shirts.
“He was a fantastic player, but he had some tough times in England. But, that’s football. England is very different from other leagues and I will have to get used to it.”
Integration is not an issue for Edin Dzeko; remarkably, he speaks good English and he happens to be at the City of Manchester Stadium because of a dream that has come true – not by force like it seems to be the case for some players (youngsters, especially) who moan about being homesick. So if the Bosnian remains yet to impose himself as “Manchester City’s redeemer”, is it just a matter of time? According to the optimistic Roberto Mancini, the answer is “yes”.
“Edin is one of the best strikers in Europe,” the Italian told The Telegraph.
“But it is not easy to start with a new team in a new league in January but I’m happy that he will be one of the best strikers in England.”
Tonight, Manchester City will resume their hunt for the UEFA Europa League title. Their last result was a 3-0 victory at home to Greek side Aris, and they’ll be hoping to keep the momentum alive against Dynamo Kyiv now.
But the Ukrainians possess the Andriy Shevchenko factor, which could play the trick against Edin Dzeko’s Manchester City. But that’s not the only thing that worries Roberto Mancini who saw AS Roma freeze away to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League earlier on Tuesday.
“It will be difficult and the pitch isn’t good enough. It’s so hard because it’s cold,” the Man City manager concluded.
Dzeko is one of the few lucky Bosnians to have made it this far in world football; perhaps, the Manchester City striker would thank Shevchenko for inspiring him on his road to the top. But now that Edin Dzeko has fulfilled his dream of playing in the English Premier League – which is regarded by many as the best league in the world, he has no intention of emulating the Ukrainian.
Why? Because Shevchenko went to England as a capable hero for Chelsea supporters, but left the country with a miserable image – the image of a flop. As a Blue, Shevchenko never managed to convert his £30M price tag into prowess on the pitch for whatever reasons.
In two seasons and 75 appearances, the Ukrainian striker scored only 21 goals. His nonchalant body language eventually annoyed Chelsea who finally got rid of him. In short, the man that ruled in the Serie A between 1999 and 2006 wasn’t the one that the English Premier League came to know.
This is the sort of career that Edin Dzeko doesn’t want. The ex-Wolfsburg player landed at Manchester City for £27M and he is resolute to let his transfer remain in history books as a successful one. Dzeko explained things to The Telegraph concerning as the Sky Blues prepare to affront Shevchenko’s Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Europa League, saying:
“He [Andriy Shevchenko] was my idol. I met him a few years ago when Wolfsburg played in Milan... and we exchanged shirts.
“He was a fantastic player, but he had some tough times in England. But, that’s football. England is very different from other leagues and I will have to get used to it.”
Integration is not an issue for Edin Dzeko; remarkably, he speaks good English and he happens to be at the City of Manchester Stadium because of a dream that has come true – not by force like it seems to be the case for some players (youngsters, especially) who moan about being homesick. So if the Bosnian remains yet to impose himself as “Manchester City’s redeemer”, is it just a matter of time? According to the optimistic Roberto Mancini, the answer is “yes”.
“Edin is one of the best strikers in Europe,” the Italian told The Telegraph.
“But it is not easy to start with a new team in a new league in January but I’m happy that he will be one of the best strikers in England.”
Tonight, Manchester City will resume their hunt for the UEFA Europa League title. Their last result was a 3-0 victory at home to Greek side Aris, and they’ll be hoping to keep the momentum alive against Dynamo Kyiv now.
But the Ukrainians possess the Andriy Shevchenko factor, which could play the trick against Edin Dzeko’s Manchester City. But that’s not the only thing that worries Roberto Mancini who saw AS Roma freeze away to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League earlier on Tuesday.
“It will be difficult and the pitch isn’t good enough. It’s so hard because it’s cold,” the Man City manager concluded.
