Podolski - I'm as good as anyone

German star believes he ranks alongside United duo

By Chris Ives   Last updated: 21st August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Podolski - I'm as good as anyone

Podolski: Confident

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Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski feels he is every bit as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Responding to praise from national coach Joachim Low in which he said that Podolski has shown better form at major tournaments than the Manchester United duo, the former Cologne man underlined his self-belief.

"The English league where they play is the centre of attention and I like watching it too," Poldi told SportBild.

"Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are world class players, but I don't think that I should judge myself to be five categories worse than them.

"I have proven that I don't need to hide behind any players. The same can be said for players such as Schweinsteiger and Lahm."

Development

Podolski started in Bayern's first match of the new Bundesliga season and added that he is confident of keeping his place despite the imminent return to fitness of Bundesliga top-scorer Luca Toni.

"I want to play - that is my goal," he added.

"I don't want to have to rely on other people being injured or suspended, I want to play!

"I am still young and want to continue my development and that's only possible on the pitch."