Togolese striker Emanuel Adebayor has said that he is planning a return to the Premier League after his release by Crystal Palace.
The player said that he does not know when he has a ‘bad reputation’ in the football league but insists on returning to England to play football.
The player is leading his country to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon but he insists that despite the controversies in English clubs he has been with, he would return to play. He believes that his former teammates and most club staff have nothing but praise for his display whilst with them.
Adebayor played in Arsenal from 2006 to 2009. He featured for the Sky Blues at Etihad from 2009 to 2012, going to Tottenham Hotspur on loan in 2011/12. He eventually joined Spurs on a permanent deal, playing from 2012 to 2015 before he moved to Palace.
The forward is three goals shy of the 100 milestone in the Premier League after 242 games. This could be a motivating factor to return to English football. However, he is concerned about getting a club that would accept him as he feels he has a bad reputation.
“I have a bad reputation in England and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s something that has just followed me. But one thing I always say is that 90 percent of the people I’ve played with would say I’m an amazing guy, a great teammate.
“Other people, those who work on the gate at every stadium I’ve played at, will tell you I am a humble guy and a nice person. But the press will say what they want, and in my career I’ve been unfortunate enough to have a lot of negativity,” the player said.
The player seems confident of getting an offer as he says he wants to “hit the top level again.”