Sports
‘Gyan’s biggest mistake was leaving EPL’
Former Ghana and Chelsea coach Avram Grant reckons Asamoah Gyan’s famous 2011 transfer from English Premier League side Sunderland to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates greatly hampered the striker’s progress.
After hitting 10 league goals in his first season with The Black Cats, Gyan promptly pursued a move away, originally joining the Arabian club on loan which was later made permanent.
The mouthwatering transfer was reportedly worth up to £6 million, with the striker receiving up to four times his previous salary.
“Asamoah Gyan had one of the biggest qualities I have ever seen in my life because he has everything as a striker,” Grant who coached Gyan between 2014 and 2017 told 443gh.
“He has the passion to score; he can score with his feet [and] his head. He is very good mentally. I’m sure you remember the 2015 AFCON game against Algeria – the goal he scored in the last minute.
“I think his biggest mistake was not staying in the Premier League. He could have stayed because I think if he (did), he would have been considered as one of the best strikers.
“I spoke to Didier Drogba not long ago and he told me Asamoah Gyan is one of his favourites and he could have achieved more.
“I think it was a mistake moving from the Premier League but we all make mistakes when we are young.
“He should have stayed in the Premier League. There are not many strikers with his qualities.”
Gyan began his career with local side Liberty Professional before moving to Italian fold Udinese in 2003. He was farmed out to lower division side Modena at some point of his time with Udinese.
Gyan joined Sunderland from French fold Stade Rennais in 2010 following fine performances for Ghana at the World Cup. His good showing at the global gathering also helped earn him the 2010 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. – Goal.com
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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