Everton defender Sylvain Distin is hoping to avoid dropping into the free agent pool next summer by earning a contract extension.
Nightmare
Distin has not always felt that way about the Premier League, though, with a loan spell at Newcastle in 2001/02 leading him to question his decision to try his luck abroad.
He said: "Why did I come to England? I came because people didn't want me at PSG and because they refused to sell me to Lens. So I joined Newcastle.
"At the back of my mind I always had it that I would return to Paris at the end of my loan.
"At first I was excited, but I quickly changed my mind. It was cold, dark at 4pm. I was alone in my hotel and could barely speak any English. The accent was difficult as well.
"It was a nightmare and after three weeks I called my father with tears in my eyes. I said I wanted to go home and that England was not for me. I have now been here for 11 years."
