World champion Lukas Podolski is hoping that his move to Inter Milan will strengthen his position within the German national team. “It has been a small factor,” the 29-year-old said today at his official presentation with the 18-time Italian champions. “Playing here will see my situation with the Germany national team improve. I spoke about it with Joachim Löw ahead of the move and he thinks that it was a good decision.”
Podolski is on loan at Inter until the end of the season, having struggled for first team football at Arsenal so far this campaign. “In my opinion, Inter are one of the ten biggest clubs in the world,” Podolski said, with reference to former German players such as Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme: “The club’s successes were not that long ago and when you consider the legends that have played here; you know what kind of club you are playing for.”
“Next year we want to play in the Champions League”
Since winning the Champions League in 2010 the club has failed to meet expectations; Podolski wants to help the struggling superpower return to the top tier of continental competition as soon as possible. “Next year we want to play in the Champions League. We are a few points behind the teams in qualification places, we need to win the next few games, but we can do it.”
He rejected a few other offers in order to accept the one with Inter. “I had three or four other offers but I had a good conversation with the manager Roberto Mancini,” said Podolski who made a strong start when he came on as a substitute for his debut on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw with Juventus in Turin. “He went to great lengths to get me here and made my decision very easy.”
Mancini praised Podolski straight away: “Podolski is a great footballer and a world champion. I am confident that he will do great at Inter.”
World champion Lukas Podolski is hoping that his move to Inter Milan will strengthen his position within the German national team. “It has been a small factor,” the 29-year-old said today at his official presentation with the 18-time Italian champions. “Playing here will see my situation with the Germany national team improve. I spoke about it with Joachim Löw ahead of the move and he thinks that it was a good decision.”
Podolski is on loan at Inter until the end of the season, having struggled for first team football at Arsenal so far this campaign. “In my opinion, Inter are one of the ten biggest clubs in the world,” Podolski said, with reference to former German players such as Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme: “The club’s successes were not that long ago and when you consider the legends that have played here; you know what kind of club you are playing for.”
“Next year we want to play in the Champions League”
Since winning the Champions League in 2010 the club has failed to meet expectations; Podolski wants to help the struggling superpower return to the top tier of continental competition as soon as possible. “Next year we want to play in the Champions League. We are a few points behind the teams in qualification places, we need to win the next few games, but we can do it.”
He rejected a few other offers in order to accept the one with Inter. “I had three or four other offers but I had a good conversation with the manager Roberto Mancini,” said Podolski who made a strong start when he came on as a substitute for his debut on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw with Juventus in Turin. “He went to great lengths to get me here and made my decision very easy.”
Mancini praised Podolski straight away: “Podolski is a great footballer and a world champion. I am confident that he will do great at Inter.”
