Kenyan international Victor Wanyama celebrating after scoring the winning goal for Tottenham against Crystal Palace. PHOTO/scioperosport.com
KAMPALA, Uganda, Aug 31 – After scoring his debut for English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Wanyama believes that is just a start to finer things for him at the North London club.
Wanyama has clocked full minutes in all opening three games and capped it with a goal in the club’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, starting life at his new club with a bang.
“I have done well and scoring on my home debut was a dream. The best thing is that it proved to be the winning goal and to me that was a big achievement. It’s not always easy to start off well at a new club but for me, it has been smooth,” the Harambee Stars captain told Capital Sport.
“There haven’t been easy matches because at the moment in the Premier League, every team is tough. Everyone comes out for points but we have played well though I think in the opening game against Everton, we should have been more clinical with the chances we got.”
The robust midfield maestro reckons that he has easily adapted the Tottenham life because he has played with most of the players during his time in Belgium.
Erik Lamela celebrates with Victor Wanyama.PHOTO/Reuters
He disclosed that the trust bestowed on him by manager Mauricio Pochettino has made him more confident and hails midfield partner Eric Dier whom he described as a great team mate.
“I worked with him (Pochettino) before and he really trusts me. Also, we have very good players in the team and everyone works hard. I play alongside a great midfielder in Eric Dier and his output is great which makes us partner well,” Wanyama, who joined Tottenham on a five-year deal from Southampton, added.
He insists that Tottenham are a strong contender for the Premier League title this season and has tipped the side to make a strong challenge.
“I know people think we are strong enough but no one is really giving us a chance. But I believe we can do it. We have the good squad of hungry players and a great manager who always wants us to be better. Of course it’s tough with great managers out there at Chelsea, Manchester City, United, Liverpool and Arsenal but its better when there’s competition.”
Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Wanyama in action when he led the Kenyan team taking on Uganda Cranes in an international friendly match played on Tuesday evening, August 30 in Kampala, Uganda. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.
The 25-year-old, younger brother to former Inter Milan midfielder Macdonald Mariga is excited to be making a return to Champions League football after four years, having last played in the top flight European league in the 2011/2012 season with his former Scottish club Celtic.
Tottenham are in Group E of the Champions League alongside CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.
“It is a very tough group and the most important thing for us is to make sure we get good results at home. I know we can make it into the knockout stages and even further. Nothing is hard. The greatest thing for a player in Europe is playing in the Champions League and I am excited to be getting back there,” he noted.
Tottenham, who finished third in the Premier League last season, begin their campaign September 14 at home hosting French giants Monaco.
