Madrid (AFP) – French midfielder Samir Nasri said Thursday he was ready to turn the page and put last season’s woes behind him to rediscover his best form at new club Sevilla.
Nasri has joined the La Liga side from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal.
The 29-year-old scored 27 goals and won two Premier League titles in five years in Manchester, but after an injury-plagued 2015/16 season, new City boss Pep Guardiola had criticised his condition when he returned to pre-season overweight.
“It was a very difficult season in every sense of the word, on the sporting front with injuries and in my private life, for reasons which will remain private,” said Nasri during his official presentation at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
“My time injured allowed me to rest and reflect…. I learned a lot last year,” he continued, adding his “obsession” was now to be “good on the pitch” and be “irreproachable” in his behaviour.
“Physically I feel good, I did all the preparation with Manchester City and I even played on the last day,” said Nasri.
The former France international said he had chosen Sevilla over Turkish club Besiktas to work alongside new coach Jorge Sampaoli, adding that Guardiola had wanted to keep him in Manchester.
“Until the last minute he (Guardiola) insisted that I remain but I knew I had to leave to rediscover my best level.”
