Javier gave an interview on The Friday Football Show on Setanta last night. Haven't seen it posted already so thought I'd type it up...
On moving to Liverpool...
"It seems a long time ago now and there were times I didn't know what to do. The transfer to Liverpool was already approved by FIFA, and both Liverpool and West Ham reached an agreement, but the final word was with the Premier League and that took more than 30 or 40 days. It was a very long and painful wait as I was here with my family."
On West Ham...
"I have no hard feelings towards West Ham whatsoever. They were the first ones to open the doors for me to come to England, and the ones that trusted me at the very beginning. I also would like to add that I don't have any hard feelings towards Alan Pardew or Alan Curbishley. There were no rows at all. They were my managers there and they had their preferences to pick some players and I always respected that. That's part of football."
On agreeing a 4 year deal...
"It was an easy decision for many reasons. Only my family and I know how hard I worked to get where I am now. I came to England with a lot of hope and I wasn't going to give it up like that. To move to Europe was always the big step we all wanted back home and I decided to fight on and look for the support of my family and at the end the wait was worth it. The deal was done and everybody is happy."
On Rafa...
"His attention to detail reminds me of Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentina former Head Coach. He and his staff prepare the tactical approach for each game with an amazing attention to detail. I will always be thankful to Rafa for believing in me. I have no words to express all the gratitude I have towards him. It's not just about the good period I'm going through at present, I'm thankful for the whole experience. Rafa rescued me when I needed it the most."
On Liverpool's future...
"I think the future looks promising for the club, the new stadium project is very exciting. We have very ambitious owners, two people that really want this football club to get bigger. This is a huge club with a massive history behind it. It's about expanding the name of the club even more on and off the pitch. There is a really good atmoshpere in the city at the moment. The people of Liverpool are happy."
On The Kop...
"I've played for big clubs in the past but I've never seen anything like it. They are just amazing. Then you hear comments about people in England being too reserved and that's just not true. The passion of the Liverpool fans is head and shoulders above the rest. I'm happy to be here, and to have agreed to stay here is the best decision I could have ever made."
On moving to Liverpool...
"It seems a long time ago now and there were times I didn't know what to do. The transfer to Liverpool was already approved by FIFA, and both Liverpool and West Ham reached an agreement, but the final word was with the Premier League and that took more than 30 or 40 days. It was a very long and painful wait as I was here with my family."
On West Ham...
"I have no hard feelings towards West Ham whatsoever. They were the first ones to open the doors for me to come to England, and the ones that trusted me at the very beginning. I also would like to add that I don't have any hard feelings towards Alan Pardew or Alan Curbishley. There were no rows at all. They were my managers there and they had their preferences to pick some players and I always respected that. That's part of football."
On agreeing a 4 year deal...
"It was an easy decision for many reasons. Only my family and I know how hard I worked to get where I am now. I came to England with a lot of hope and I wasn't going to give it up like that. To move to Europe was always the big step we all wanted back home and I decided to fight on and look for the support of my family and at the end the wait was worth it. The deal was done and everybody is happy."
On Rafa...
"His attention to detail reminds me of Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentina former Head Coach. He and his staff prepare the tactical approach for each game with an amazing attention to detail. I will always be thankful to Rafa for believing in me. I have no words to express all the gratitude I have towards him. It's not just about the good period I'm going through at present, I'm thankful for the whole experience. Rafa rescued me when I needed it the most."
On Liverpool's future...
"I think the future looks promising for the club, the new stadium project is very exciting. We have very ambitious owners, two people that really want this football club to get bigger. This is a huge club with a massive history behind it. It's about expanding the name of the club even more on and off the pitch. There is a really good atmoshpere in the city at the moment. The people of Liverpool are happy."
On The Kop...
"I've played for big clubs in the past but I've never seen anything like it. They are just amazing. Then you hear comments about people in England being too reserved and that's just not true. The passion of the Liverpool fans is head and shoulders above the rest. I'm happy to be here, and to have agreed to stay here is the best decision I could have ever made."
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