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There's no place like home

Morientes happy to be out of English football

by Reuters on 22 September 2006

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Valencia's Fernando Morientes celebrates scoring against Olympiakos during their Champions League Group D soccer match in Athens

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MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish striker Fernando Morientes says he is happy to have escaped the rough and tumble of the English Premier League after returning to Spain and joining Valencia.

The 30-year-old former Liverpool striker has scored two goals in two league games for his new club and bagged a hat-trick in the Champions League against Olympiakos Piraeus a week ago.

"I wanted to return to what I knew and play the kind of football in which I felt more comfortable," Morientes told sports daily Sport on Thursday.

The former Real Madrid striker failed to make his mark with Liverpool and only managed 12 goals in 61 appearances.

After less than a year and a half with the Merseysiders he joined Valencia in July for a reported fee of six million euros (4million pounds).

"I didn't like the physical nature of the game in England or the referees who let more things go, and who blow for fewer fouls than they do here," Morientes added.

"A striker isn't protected from rival defences there, and they gave me a really hard time."

Morientes is expected to lead the line for Valencia on Sunday when they visit champions Barcelona in the Primera Liga. Both sides have 100 per cent records.

Comments (1)

by georgie on February 16, 2007

Morientes will achieve good things for Valencia, himself and David Villa will be a great partnership. English football to me is very boring, unskillful and too physical. I guess its the culture that exists in England that makes the game so unattractive and where talented players can't express themselves to their true potential. The Spanish and Italian leagues have a different culture, where players can express themselves alot better, which leads to better entertainment and passion for the game. Foreign players from outside the UK should reconsider playing in England, but ofcourse the money available is the biggest incentive for these players who may see it as a great opportunity and experience. However, beware of the style, culture and boring reputation associated with British football or English football as the case may be. End of article.