Gael Clichy says that an excellent 12 months since his transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City has proved that he made the right decision.
City left-back reflects on a year to remember after France recall
Gael Clichy says that an excellent 12 months since his transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City has proved that he made the right decision.
The French left-back swapped the Emirates Stadium for the Etihad in July 2011 and ended the season with another Premier League winner's medal to add to the one he won as part of Arsenal's "Invincibles" in 2004.
Clichy was Roberto Mancini's first-choice at left-back for the storming run-in that saw City clinch their first title since 1968, in total starting 28 out of the club's 38 league games.
The 26-year-old followed a well-worn path from Arsenal to City when he made
his £7m transfer, joining former Gunners Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure in Mancini's squad before Samir Nasri made the same journey a month later.
"It's funny, but I am a vastly different player this year since I moved to City," mused Clichy.
Turning point
"In my head, it is a turning point in my career. I wanted to see where it could take me. I do not regret it for a moment, as I have gained in self-confidence.
"It has been 10 years that I have played in the Premier League, which is not bad.
"I am champion of England and that is important in the life of a player, one feels stronger."
Patrice Evra got the nod for France's opening game at Euro 2012, but Clichy was a surprise choice for their second fixture, which ended as a comfortable 2-0 win over Ukraine on a stormy night in Donetsk.
Despite the result, and France topping Group D with one game remaining, Clichy is not making any assumptions about Laurent Blanc's selection for the game against Sweden.
Happy
"You have to ask the coach. All the better if several players can play in this position.
"If each of us plays in that role and we reach the final, we will all be happy I think.
"The coach has maybe his starting XI in his head but he knows that the others can make a difference."
