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Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen: Big money move for Loic Remy proves Potters are ready to mix it with Premier League big boys
Denmark star relishing battle for place with Begovic...
9 Aug 2010 08:30:00
By Matt Monaghan
EXCLUSIVE
Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes the club's £10 million move for France striker Loic Remy shows the club mean business in the Premier League.
Remy, 23, has been linked with top flight big hitters Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
But last week the Potters made an audacious attempt to claim the Nice centre forward’s signature after he was given a guided tour of the Britannia Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK the 34 year-old Denmark international was pleased with manager Tony Pulis’ show of ambition.
Sorensen said: "It proves the club has moved on and we can compete with other clubs for players.
"We obviously don't want to risk the whole foundation, but if we want to improve we need top quality players and I don't think they come cheap nowadays."
After finishing in 11th place in their second campaign in the division, the push to creep up the table has continued. Although the Europa League qualifying spots are in sight, Sorensen vowed the squad would keep their feet on the ground and would only think about that at the time.
He said: "We're obviously looking to improve all the time. We've got a foot in the door of the Premier League and are doing well.
"We need to be realistic. If we say past Christmas we're there [in the Europa League qualifying spots], why not go for it?
"But I think it'll be a false starting point to look for that. It's still staying in the Premier League, get in and around the middle, then if everything is going for you, anything is possible."
The 34-year old’s position as first choice came under threat in the New Year after the arrival of Portsmouth shot stopper Asmir Begovic. Sorensen has welcomed the competition for places and declared the talented Bosnian international to be Stoke’s future.
He said: "That's all you want. You want a big squad, you want competition for places.
"It's what made me a good goalkeeper. It's not being secure and being first choice no matter what.
"With him there, he's a young, talented goalkeeper. He can learn from me and it's great to see some young enthusiasm.
"It's good for the club. They are obviously looking towards the future and he's definitely a player for the future."
After playing between the sticks for Denmark at World Cup 2010, Sorensen was in the firing line of the controversial Jabulani ball. He was sure he would have no problems with the Total 90 Tracer and praised its accuracy and predictability.
"We've been used to the Nike ball in the Premier League for 10 years now and it has progressed,” he added.
"I think it is a better ball now than when it started. A lot of research has gone into it.
"From a goalkeeper's point of view, you want confidence that you can make the ball do certain things and it's not the ball doing it on its own. Because that puts unpredictability in there as a goalkeeper if the flight of the ball is not true to the strike, it's not a confidence builder.
"I think you saw at the World Cup that a lot of goalkeepers struggled with it [the Jabulani] and made mistakes. It is not a coincidence that the altitude made a difference to it.”
The Nike Total 90 Tracer Football has been innovatively designed with geometrically precise panels that distribute pressure evenly across the surface, giving a more consistent, powerful strike, allowing the ball to fly faster and farther with added visibility. The new ball will be used in the English Premier League, Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A throughout the 2010-11 season. www.nikefootball.com
Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes the club's £10 million move for France striker Loic Remy shows the club mean business in the Premier League.
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Remy, 23, has been linked with top flight big hitters Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
But last week the Potters made an audacious attempt to claim the Nice centre forward’s signature after he was given a guided tour of the Britannia Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK the 34 year-old Denmark international was pleased with manager Tony Pulis’ show of ambition.
Sorensen said: "It proves the club has moved on and we can compete with other clubs for players.
"We obviously don't want to risk the whole foundation, but if we want to improve we need top quality players and I don't think they come cheap nowadays."
After finishing in 11th place in their second campaign in the division, the push to creep up the table has continued. Although the Europa League qualifying spots are in sight, Sorensen vowed the squad would keep their feet on the ground and would only think about that at the time.
He said: "We're obviously looking to improve all the time. We've got a foot in the door of the Premier League and are doing well.
"We need to be realistic. If we say past Christmas we're there [in the Europa League qualifying spots], why not go for it?
"But I think it'll be a false starting point to look for that. It's still staying in the Premier League, get in and around the middle, then if everything is going for you, anything is possible."
Great Dane | Thomas Sorensen is one of the Premier League's most highly-rated keepers
The 34-year old’s position as first choice came under threat in the New Year after the arrival of Portsmouth shot stopper Asmir Begovic. Sorensen has welcomed the competition for places and declared the talented Bosnian international to be Stoke’s future.
He said: "That's all you want. You want a big squad, you want competition for places.
"It's what made me a good goalkeeper. It's not being secure and being first choice no matter what.
"With him there, he's a young, talented goalkeeper. He can learn from me and it's great to see some young enthusiasm.
"It's good for the club. They are obviously looking towards the future and he's definitely a player for the future."
After playing between the sticks for Denmark at World Cup 2010, Sorensen was in the firing line of the controversial Jabulani ball. He was sure he would have no problems with the Total 90 Tracer and praised its accuracy and predictability.
"We've been used to the Nike ball in the Premier League for 10 years now and it has progressed,” he added.
"I think it is a better ball now than when it started. A lot of research has gone into it.
"From a goalkeeper's point of view, you want confidence that you can make the ball do certain things and it's not the ball doing it on its own. Because that puts unpredictability in there as a goalkeeper if the flight of the ball is not true to the strike, it's not a confidence builder.
"I think you saw at the World Cup that a lot of goalkeepers struggled with it [the Jabulani] and made mistakes. It is not a coincidence that the altitude made a difference to it.”
The Nike Total 90 Tracer Football has been innovatively designed with geometrically precise panels that distribute pressure evenly across the surface, giving a more consistent, powerful strike, allowing the ball to fly faster and farther with added visibility. The new ball will be used in the English Premier League, Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A throughout the 2010-11 season. www.nikefootball.comOur 
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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