A European boss has made a surprise admission about clubs’ willingness to let their players go to the Africa Cup of Nations.
A Spanish manager has made a surprise admission about European clubs’ willingness to let their players leave for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Ghana international Inaki Williams was supposed to join up with his national teammates on Monday for their pre-AFCON camp in Kumasi.
At the very last moment, though, his club, Athletic Bilbao, released a statement saying the 29-year-old would, in fact, be staying in Spain after he suffered an injury that required him to rest.
Bilbao are set to contest a crucial LALIGA encounter against Sevilla on Thursday night, and speaking ahead of the encounter, Williams’ manager Ernesto Valverde made a frank admission regarding the club’s desire to keep their star player for as long as possible before the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The Viandar de la Vera native stated that his side wanted to keep the attacker for the clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan irrespective of the continental showpiece, saying every side is looking after itself.
“Everyone was pulling to their side. The same for Sevilla with [Morocco striker Youssef] En-Nesyri. Everyone defends their interests,” the former Barcelona manager said in a pre-match press conference, as per GHANAsoccernet.
Sevilla’s new manager Quique Sanchez Flores has also expressed his frustration at losing the Moroccan forward ahead of the home clash.
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“I join the number of colleagues who talk about calendars being crooked. It doesn’t make sense for players to leave in the middle of the leagues. It’s all upside down. In the end, the players get injured and, with it, the show loses,” the former Watford boss said, as per Diario AS.
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