| Abstrakt: |
ELIAQUIM MANGALA has admitted he found it difficult settling into English football in his first season. Yet is that even an excuse anymore? As clubs become increasingly cosmopolitan, the idea of the Premier League as a strange alien land retreats. Mangala, as a Frenchman, has three compatriots in Manchester City's first team, which is one more than enjoyed by Joe Hart, or any of the English contingent. There is a much stronger national identity at clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich than there is at City or Chelsea — and no reason why Mangala should struggle. Increasingly, the best foreign players — Luis Suarez, Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez, Sergio Aguero — hit the ground running. The £32million fee paid for Mangala would also suggest City were buying a player who should not have been fazed by the sight of Burnley with their dander up. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
