Enrique clarifies controversial “I aspire to more” comments.
Posted on February 18th, 2011 | 54 Comments |
The comments were translated as:
“It is flattering that Liverpool are interested.
“I’ve also heard that Manchester United and Aston Villa have asked about me.
Perhaps the most controversial part of the (mis)translated interview was quoted as:
“They are both big teams and I’m not closing the door on anyone. I’m ambitious and want to play in the Champions League.
“I want to win things. I’m OK at Newcastle but I aspire to more.”
However the player has come out in an interview on the club’s official website to say that the comments were taken completely out of context. Enrique explained:
“I had a good chat with a Spanish journalist about how things were going this season. I told him we’re having a good season and how I’ve been enjoying the games, playing well and focussing on the good year I am having at the club. We are ambitious and, like all the players here, we want to play at the highest level we can.
“Newcastle is a great club with some excellent players and I hope we can kick on and continue to progress.
“From this interview, two or three lines have now appeared in the English papers, and because they are totally out of context with the rest of the interview, I am very disappointed at being portrayed in this manner.”
However the defender concluded by qualifying that he wanted to ensure that Newcastle United have ensured Premiership survival before discussing a new contract at the club, saying:
“The position with my contract has always been clear and both myself and the manager have talked about it openly.
“I would like to ensure that we have secured Premier League status for next season before we discuss a new deal. It is natural for me, as it is for every player, to want to play at the top level.”
If the team were relegated again, which of course would take a very bad run of games from this point, there would almost certainly be several of the top Newcastle United players seeking an exit from the club, as thay did last time. Enrique however did stay with us through that season, though of course, a series of excellent performances since that time have put him more firmly in the sights of other clubs in the Premiership and elsewhere.
Here’s the Spanish if anyone’s interested: http://www.mercafutbol.com/noticias/a-jose-enrique-le-atrae-anfield-96252