Louis Saha: I'm back to my best for Everton

Toffees forward feeling fit and in form

21 Feb 2010 21:22:00

By Edward Pearce

More On :  Everton, Manchester United, Louis Saha
EPL: Barry Ferguson - Louis Saha, Everton - Birmingham (Getty Images)
Everton striker Louis Saha says he feels ready to put his injury problems behind him and hit top form after signing a new two-year contract extension in February.

The Frenchman's career has been blighted by injury, with runs of excellent goalscoring form when fit only adding to the frustration for the forward and his clubs.
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However, Saha has already hit 15 goals so far this season and credits Everton's medical staff with building up his physical condition to allow him to play more games.

"It's been a very good year for me and I picked up where I left off last season - I feel much better physically," he told the News of the World.

"The club is very understanding and allows me to nip off in the international breaks.

Pleased as Saha is with his newfound robustness, he rues the gaps in his playing career and the matches that might have been.

He added: "I had a lot of physical problems at Manchester United and never really got the chance to win a permanent first-team place.

"I have this feeling that I missed out on something.

"You find yourself looking for answers, you end up thinking there is a curse on you and that someone wants you to do badly and fail.

"During the four-and-a-half years with the club, I went through so many different things.

"I was supposed to be in the squad for the Champions League final in Moscow in 2008 but it was impossible because of injury.

"It was the same at the World Cup final with France, when I should have been on the bench but I got a yellow card in the semi-finals and couldn't play.

"Those sorts of moments are tough, very tough.

"I wonder sometimes how I came through it.

"It's like being a kid who has been given an extraordinary toy and then is not allowed to play with it."

 Despite the mental scar tissue Saha does not regret his time at United and has only admiration for his former manager.

He continued: "There are people there with whom I worked for a long time and we have stayed in touch.

"I had some great times at United and still have many friends there.

"I have a huge respect for Sir Alex.

"If I run into him in 20 years' time, I will still call him boss - he changed my life and I think he changed the life of many players."

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