Skip to content

Premier League: Returning Emmanuel Adebayor reaffirms commitment to Tottenham

Emmanuel Adebayor was frustrated by a missed chance
Image: Emmanuel Adebayor: The Tottenham striker was booed by some Spurs fans against Sunderland.

Emmanuel Adebayor is happy to be back playing football again after putting off-field issues behind him and insists he has no intention of leaving Tottenham.

The 30-year-old made his return as a second-half substitute in Spurs' 2-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday following nine weeks out of action.

Injury and illness kept Adebayor out of action before a period of compassionate leave due to family issues, with the striker quoted in November as saying his mother was practising black magic on him.

The Togolese footballer was reluctant to reveal details of his trip back to Africa but did say he is happy to be back playing football with Spurs.

"I went through a lot, obviously, but, for me, being back on the pitch and playing football again, that's what matters to me," Adebayor said.

"I am very happy and I am very pleased and, yes, now hopefully I can get my form back and enjoy myself on the football pitch. That's the most important thing.

"I obviously had an issue with my family - things aren't going along right and I decided to go back home and find a solution for it.

"In between coming back I got a few injuries as well, but, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to get my head right, get my life [right] and, for me, that's all that matters.”

Asked if the issues he mentioned are now resolved, Adebayor said: "I don't know whether they are sorted out or not.

"But, for me, I've realised with my age that I just have to leave all these problems behind me and do what I love doing best, which is playing football.

Live Capital One Cup Football

"So, sorted out? I don't know. But behind me? Definitely, yes."

Adebayor's return was not universally welcomed at White Hart Lane, where a number of fans booed the striker as he came on against the Black Cats.

After the team lost at home to Stoke in his last appearance in November, the frontman incurred the wrath of fans for suggesting the team would rather play away due to the pressure being put on them.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is said to be keen to get Adebayor – who reportedly earns in excess of £100,000 a week – off the payroll but the forward insists he is committed to the club.

"I am a footballer, you know? Obviously a lot of people always say I always play for contracts - at the end of the day, we are all footballers," Adebayor said.

"This is what I choose to do. This is my life, this is my work, and this is what I do to feed my family.

"At the moment I have a contract with Tottenham, I am committed to the club and I will always give my best to my club, which is Tottenham."

Asked if he expects to see season out with Spurs, Adebayor replied: "Obviously, yeah, otherwise I would have come out and said I want to leave.

"I am a player who is not afraid to face the reality that if I have to leave, I will leave. At the moment I am at the club, so I am very happy to be here."

Around Sky