Tottenham’s Juan Foyth is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand having finally begun to adjust to English football.
The defender responded to a disappointing Premier League debut, in which he conceded two penalties in a 3-2 victory over Wolves, to head the game’s only goal as Spurs won 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Mauricio Pochettino has had little option but to rotate his squad in his attempts to cope with a demanding run of fixtures, and over a year after his arrival in England the 20-year-old Foyth is among those being given a chance to impress.
He grew up not only aspiring to play in the Premier League but admiring Ferdinand, among the division’s finest ever defenders.
He said: “I was young, but I know he was an amazing centre-back. I’d play the Playstation and when I’d play with friends I’d say ‘I’m Rio Ferdinand’.
“Playing (football) with friends, I always played centre-back, and I’d say ‘I’m Rio Ferdinand’. Since I was a kid my dream was playing in the Premier League, so I’m enjoying it.
“(Last week) was a strange feeling because it was my (Premier League) debut, and I conceded two penalties, but the important thing was we got the win and I tried to learn from that. That’s the most important thing.”
Another improving at Spurs is Moussa Sissoko, previously considered a disappointing £30million signing in his two years there but who is now playing regularly and impressing.
“Things are now the opposite and he is a hero of the fans,” said Pochettino. “In football you must always show respect because sometimes different players need a different amount of time to produce performances in the way that you want.
“I am so happy for Moussa because he deserves the love he is getting from fans and his team-mates. He is a massive guy but he is so big-hearted and so nice.”