Togo opened their Africa Cup of Nations fixtures with a creditable, if dry 0-0 “?draw with reigning champions Ivory Coast, and their star man Emmanuel Adebayor hopes the tournament can be the perfect springboard for a return to English football, seven months after leaving Crystal Palace.
The striker claims that half a season without work as a footballer have helped him recapture his love of the game.
“Moving between Europe and Africa in the last six months has helped me a lot. And you can see me here “? I’m laughing, singing, dancing, enjoying my life,”? Adebayor told the “?Guardian.
The former Arsenal and Tottenham front man famously organised informal games between friends in replica shirts of his former teams to keep fit and stay involved in his craft and passion. However Adebayor’s performance and fitness at AFCON 2017 prove he is not done yet with the top level of the sport.
“I think people can see I am ready, that I am still a footballer,”? Adebayor said.
“I’m a lucky guy because I have good genes, and this is not the first time I’ve come back after a long time out and played as if nothing had happened.”
The 32-year-old still has close connections to London, where he played with three different clubs across ten years, and is hopeful of a return to the Premier League. The striker claims he has had offers already, but will not entertain any until the AFCON tournament comes to a conclusion.
“I love England, love the Premier League and want to find a way to get back there,
“I want to hit the top level again, that’s for sure. If not, I just want to play football and have fun, so if I get an offer somewhere then I’ll go.”?
In the candid interview, Adebayor also addresses and refutes his perceived ‘bad boy’ reputation.
SEA, on our way to #Gabon2017 ?En route pour #Gabon2017 ?????? pic.twitter.com/WBcXMEyzak
“I have a bad reputation in England and I don’t know why,”? Adebayor admits.
“Maybe it’s something that has just followed me. But one thing I always say is that 90% of the people I’ve played with would say I’m an amazing guy, a great team-mate. Other people, those who work on the gate at every stadium I’ve played at, will tell you I am a humble guy and a nice person. But the press will say what they want, and in my career I’ve been unfortunate enough to have a lot of negativity.”?
At 32-years-old Adebayor is just three goals shy of 100 in the Premier League, and boasts more strikes in the competition than either Ruud van Nistelrooy or Dennis Bergkamp. He is also Togo’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals and will have the chance to boost his tally when his side face Morocco on Friday.
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