Eto’o eager for Chelsea glory as Arsenal seal deal for old boy Flamini
STRIKER Samuel Eto’o insists he is desperate to begin his stint in English football after solving Chelsea’s summer-long search for a forward by completing a switch from Anzhi Makhachkala.
The Blues wrapped up a one-year deal for the four-time African Player of the Year after Wayne Rooney declined Jose Mourinho’s invitation to formally ask Manchester United for a transfer.
Eto’o, 32, enjoyed trophy-laden spells in Spain, largely with Barcelona, and Italy, winning the treble under Mourinho at Inter Milan, and is eager to kick-start another glorious era with the Blues in the Premier League.
“I am very happy to be here but also anxious because I want to get playing as soon as possible,” he said.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. I saw the qualities Chelsea have, and I was very happy with Jose Mourinho before, so when the opportunity came, I was very happy to take it.”
Arsenal have re-signed their former midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 29, on a free transfer, as manager Arsene Wenger attempts to patch up an injury-hit team.
His arrival comes as forward Lukas Podolski was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a hamstring tear.