Ade - City move not about money

City ace denies Eastlands switch was about financial gain

Last updated: 30th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ade - City move not about money

Adebayor: Move not about money

I'm here for the football, not money.

Emmanuel Adebayor
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Emmanuel Adebayor has again stoked the fire with Arsenal fans by claiming he did not join Manchester City for the money.

Adebayor left the Gunners last summer for City in a £25million switch, a move that is believed to have vastly increased his wage packet.

The Togo ace's status has plummeted with Arsenal fans following his defection, culminating in ugly scenes when they visited City earlier this season.

Adebayor insists some fans are simply jealous over what he has achieved in the game and that he left Arsenal for football reasons, not for money.

Jealous

"There may be people who are jealous of what I am about and have achieved in the game, despite my humble background," he is quoted in Loaded magazine.

"People can say what they want and I will just score goals in a team that wants me to be here, and in front of fans that appreciate me.

"I'm happy at City and people who question my decision to come here can go away.

"To be a part of City's first Premier League title, getting into the Champions League is a great challenge for me. I'm here for the football, not money."

Adebayor admits his final season at Arsenal was a difficult period for him after falling out with fans, although he is now used to criticism and insists it is all water off a duck's back.

Nature

"No-one likes bad things said about them but I am used to it now," he continued. "I refuse to back down if I believe something is right - that is my nature. If people do not like it, then I am sorry.

"I feel I am a good influence on the dressing room and my team-mates and that is the main thing, above all. Sometimes I think I am disliked because I show too much emotion... I'm afraid that will never change.

"My final year at Arsenal was difficult, so it was an easy decision to move. Some of the fans would never forgive me after some clubs tried to sign me a year ago, but what could I do?

"I scored 30 goals for Arsenal two seasons ago and it was all forgotten because the fans decided I was not loyal any more when Barcelona and AC Milan showed interest in me. It was hard to take and there did not seem to be anything I could do to change their mind."

Mistakes

Finally, the 25-year-old concedes he has made mistakes in his life after recently serving a three-match ban for stamping on ex-team-mate Robin van Persie.

Adebayor had conceded he has spoken with the Dutch ace following the incident and that the pair have made up, although he still does not know why he lashed out at the time.

"I think I wish I could not have done that, but we are all human beings and Obama will make a lot of mistakes where he is now," he told CNN International.

''Cristiano Ronaldo has done a lot of mistakes and Mr Alex Ferguson apologised recently for what he has said against the referee. He just made the mistake, he is a human being, we all do it and we all have to pass through a mistake to be a better man.

"I saw Robin in the tunnel and I told him: 'I'm very sorry for what happened'. He's like: 'Why, why you do that?' and I told him: 'Robin, I don't know, I'm sorry'. And at the time he told me 'OK, it's fine'."

Comments (8)

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Ria Angolas (Arsenal fan) says...

Like the other comments on here I am still myth as to why Ade is still talking about leaving Arsenal. Ever heard the term let it go no one cares anymore? I'm beginning to think he is more bitter about the situation then he is letting on and I don't mean because of the Arsenal fans, I think because Wenger was happy to sell him to bring harmony into the dressing room. Is Tevez still talking about Man Utd? I think he is hurt as everyone is saying that Arsenal look more United now that his gone. I think he was a problem and now that his gone to City his their problem case closed!

Posted 12:34 30th October 2009

John Stewart (Manchester United fan) says...

Ade has made his point over and over but still wants to get a dig in where he can he should just accept the fact that he is disliked because of his attitude and lack of respect for everyone around him typical young footballer of the age bet he goes around town do you know who I am, you should see my car outside , Arrogance is not something admired by others and he clearly shows that in this article in abundance talking about how great he thinks he is and what he has achieved, In personal terms he maybe has been successful in reaching his goals but in football terms real achievement is by winning Trophies and awards. Anyway I think if i had the money he earns I really could not care what others think so does not need to talk about it. What's wrong with just talking about how happy he is at Man C and it's a new lease of life instead of dragging up the past AGAIN

Posted 12:27 30th October 2009

Darren Wright (Arsenal fan) says...

I can only agree with the comments already posted. This guy has an ego that matchs his height it seems. Somebody needs to have a quiet talk to him and tel him to keep his trap shut. I fear there's more controversy to come from Adebayor in the future, and that would make me uncomfortable if I were a City fan. We had it, and unforetunately I have to say I was glad to see the back of him. Sad to say about a potential footballing great.

Posted 11:54 30th October 2009

Aynalem Haile (Arsenal fan) says...

I don't understand why Ade keeps on discussing about his departure from Arsenal. Thousands of professional change clubs for various reasons.. He has made clear why he left and it has to stop there. Perhaps, there are few things which he did wrong that are unsettling him. I don't see for example Toure make any comments. Ade, anything you do backfires. Please, forget about arsenal and talk about city. Or, make the talking on the pitch. indeed, you are not living to the expectation.

Posted 10:41 30th October 2009

Tom Gale (Arsenal fan) says...

This is getting boring, he should be quiet and concentrate on playing for his new club who are prepared to pay his ridiculous wages. It is only a matter of time before the honeymoon period is over and he starts causing grief in the city changing room. Arsenal are much more cohesive as a team without him as he only cares about one thing and that is himself, not City, just his bank balance. He is a good footballer that believes his own hype and is a prime example of a footballer who has spent too much time listening to individuals that have never had his best interest at heart, it is a shame as Arsenal fans really took to him until he started behaving the way he did, he is just a joke now and a very small blip on Arsenal's rich history.

Posted 10:38 30th October 2009

Jan M (Arsenal fan) says...

Mr Adebayor needs to stop talking. He's a talented footballer, but far from the finished article (as his opta stats show). He may have scored 30 goals two seasons in a row, but with an arsenal midfield that created literally hundreds of chances for him - most fit, above average strikers would have done the same or better. Almost all the matches I saw him play in last season he showed no passion and put in minimum effort. Arsenal fans are right to be aggrieved. As for the transfer rumours of 2008 - all a player has to do to quell them is to come out and flat out say - "these rumours have no truth and I'm 100% committed to my club and its future" - rather than "it's flattering to be courted by.." Look forward to seeing you at the Emirates, Ade!

Posted 10:30 30th October 2009

Lee B (Arsenal fan) says...

Why does Adebayor still keep talking about Arsenal? If he is as happy as he says he is why keep talking about his former club? He is a very strange boy. Ade, concentrate on your current club and stop looking back. Everybody knows why you went to City and nobody is bothered.

Posted 10:16 30th October 2009

Chris Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

He has achieved nothing. One good season for Arsenal so far. And he is disliked because he plays for team Adebayor.

Posted 09:54 30th October 2009
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