Freddy Adu ready to fight for place at Benfica
Published 8/3/2007 11:28:39 AM by staff from soccer365.com
Fresh Benfica catch Freddy Adu says he wants to prove in training that he belongs in the line-up sooner rather than later. The U.S. prodigy knows he will need to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is ready to soar with the Eagles.
“That's up to the coach and, in the end, to me and how I play,” Adu told Sports Illustrated. “I want to work hard and show them I'm ready to contribute right away. I don't want to be one of those guys where I go there and wait a long time before I become a starter,” he declared. “Our first game is coming up on Aug. 14 as a Champions League qualifier, so I've got to try to fit in right away, and I think I can do that.”
"I'm pretty sure I'll get thrown in right away," Adu said. "Then again, it's not a done deal. I still have to earn the right to be on the field."
Regardless, he doesn't regret leaving MLS and brushed off criticism that he never had his heart in MLS.
"People are going to say stuff,"' he said. "I tried hard for every team I played for. I have heard that I didn't give it all I had. I did give my all."
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