Maniche, arguably Portugal’s most impressive player in the summer’s European Championship, stated on Saturday that he had no regrets about staying with the club, despite interest from Real Madrid and Arsenal.
By Alex Hough
Speaking in an interview with A Bola, Maniche said: “I’m not frustrated, and I want to demonstrate this on the pitch. I haven’t lost my value in remaining here in Porto.”
“The older players in the club have an obligation to assist those who have recently arrived. Costinha and myself can do exactly this.”
Maniche was an integral member of the Porto side which won the UEFA Cup two years ago, and the Champions League last season.
“The employee has to do his work, and the footballer has to complete his contract, day by day – to dedicate himself to the badge he defends, to give his all in training and in games, to better himself. I believe I have done all of this.”
On the coming Champions League game against his former boss Jose Mourinho, Maniche added: “He [Mourinho] knows us well, but we also know him. The past was fantastic, the relationship excellent, but the reality is that Chelsea is one of 3 teams that we have to defeat in this season’s Champions League in order to qualify for the next phase.
“We have to remain concentrated on the field and forget the rest. The psychological game can be dangerous.”
