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Samir Nasri: Money not behind move from Arsenal to Manchester City
The 24-year-old insists a quick glance at the Premier League table is enough to explain why he swapped the Emirates for the Etihad in the summer
21 Jan 2012 15:24:00
By John Stammers
Samir Nasri has defended his summer move from Arsenal to Manchester City denying that he chose Roberto Mancini's side because of the money they offered him.
Since the playmaker made the £23 million move there have been numerous suggestions, including those from the midfielder's former boss Arsene Wenger, that Nasri decided to leave purely for the high wages City could offer.
However the 24-year-old has moved to set the record straight insisting a look at the table shows why he swapped London for Manchester, as well as revealing a transfer abroad would have been of higher financial value.
He told The Times: "When you're a fan of a club, you don't know what happens on the inside. The easiest thing for the fans to say is 'He went there for the money, he betrayed us'.
"I had a better [financial] proposition in another country, which I didn't choose.
"Yes I have good wages here, I can't deny, but every player has good wages. If you play at Arsenal, you have better wages than somewhere else.
"I didn't choose Manchester City for the money. The Premier League table shows that."
The French international has not had the best start to his City career, with a number of below-par performances leading to him failing to hold down a regular starting place in the team so far this season.
Nasri has admitted that he has not played to the best of his ability insisting that it is difficult to adapt to a new club, while he accepts if his form continues to be poor he will not get as many chances.
He added: "So far it's not my best season.
"It's always difficult when you change clubs, even when you stay in the same league.
"I had a difficult season at Arsenal too, my first one, and after that everything went well.
"I've had a discussion with the manager. I know how things are. I know that, if I score goals and make assists, then I'll play. If I'm not in good form, I won't play.
"I'm a competitor and I love playing in the big games. But sometimes you have to accept that, in a big squad, you have to be on the bench, especially if you're not in good form. Then, when you have the chance, you have to show you deserve to play."
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Since the playmaker made the £23 million move there have been numerous suggestions, including those from the midfielder's former boss Arsene Wenger, that Nasri decided to leave purely for the high wages City could offer.
However the 24-year-old has moved to set the record straight insisting a look at the table shows why he swapped London for Manchester, as well as revealing a transfer abroad would have been of higher financial value.
He told The Times: "When you're a fan of a club, you don't know what happens on the inside. The easiest thing for the fans to say is 'He went there for the money, he betrayed us'.
"I had a better [financial] proposition in another country, which I didn't choose.
"Yes I have good wages here, I can't deny, but every player has good wages. If you play at Arsenal, you have better wages than somewhere else.
"I didn't choose Manchester City for the money. The Premier League table shows that."
The French international has not had the best start to his City career, with a number of below-par performances leading to him failing to hold down a regular starting place in the team so far this season.
Nasri has admitted that he has not played to the best of his ability insisting that it is difficult to adapt to a new club, while he accepts if his form continues to be poor he will not get as many chances.
He added: "So far it's not my best season.
"It's always difficult when you change clubs, even when you stay in the same league.
"I had a difficult season at Arsenal too, my first one, and after that everything went well.
"I've had a discussion with the manager. I know how things are. I know that, if I score goals and make assists, then I'll play. If I'm not in good form, I won't play.
"I'm a competitor and I love playing in the big games. But sometimes you have to accept that, in a big squad, you have to be on the bench, especially if you're not in good form. Then, when you have the chance, you have to show you deserve to play."
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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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