Old France team-mate made Nasri snub Milan
SAMIR Nasri has claimed he had the chance to move to AC Milan in the summer – but chose Turkish club Antalyaspor instead.
The former City midfielder was made available for transfer in the summer after spending the whole of last season on loan at Sevilla.
He signed for Antalyaspor, who finished fifth in the Turkish Super Lig last season, for a fee around £3.2m, joining ex-Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o at the club.
They currently lie one place above the relegation zone with just one win in their opening six games.
Nasri claims he had a number of options but was swayed to head to Turkey by the presence of his old France team-mate Jeremy Menez.
“I did 13 years at the highest level, I also needed a change, to leave for elsewhere – I have never seen a country with so much passion,” he said, reflecting on the fact he was mobbed at the airport after arriving in Antalya.
“We had a discussion but it was rather brief, with Marseille, with Lyon, with AC Milan, and then there were Besiktas, Galatasaray and Antalya.
“The choice was made quite naturally – the president has a very ambitious project, and the fact that Jeremy is there, it also reassured me.
“He practically played the role of agent and was very insistent.”
Nasri was at City for six years, playing 124 games, scoring 18 goals and winning two Premier League titles and the League Cup – when he scored a memorable goal in the final against Sunderland. GABRIEL Jesus is dreaming of the World Cup finals – but that doesn’t mean he will sleep through the rest of City’s season.
The Blues star says there will be no let-up in his drive to improve his game between now and next summer as he seeks to secure a place in Tite’s squad.
Jesus has dreamed of representing his country in the World Cup finals – he was even pictured, as a 17-year-old, painting the streets yellow and green in anticipation of his country hosting the 2014 event.
And with Brazil securing their place at Russia 2018 back in March, Jesus and his team-mates have had a relatively relaxed international fortnight, drawing 0-0 in Bolivia and facing Chile in Jesus’ home city of Sao Paulo tomorrow night.
But Jesus is taking nothing for granted after going through his first barren spell for his country – he has not scored in four games after net- ting five in his first six. But, along with fellow Blue Brazilians Fernandinho, Danilo and Ederson, he knows there is plenty of work to be done.
“The World Cup could start tomorrow, the anxiety is enormous,” he told Globo.
“I have dreamed of the World Cup since I put it in my head that I would like to be a soccer player and I will fight with loyalty to be able to be in the national squad.
“There is merit in doing it, and doing it well.”
But with Brazil one of the favourites to lift the trophy next summer, Jesus knows that the only way he can ensure his place in the squad is by scoring goals for the Blues.
“From the moment I leave here, I will be focussed on City until I return to the national team,” he said.
“I’m very happy about what I’ve been showing everyone, but I know I have to keep working, running, showing that I should be selected.
“I will continue doing what I have always done, whether in Manches- ter or in the national team.” And after a spectacular start to life with City, Jesus says he feels he is still improving as a player under Pep Guardiola’s guidance. “I am evolving not only as a professional, but also in the head, in the mind,” he said. “I am evolving more than last year, with many experiences in the national team and in Europe – this is doing me good.” Brazil’s next game being in Sao Paulo means that Jesus was back on familiar soil, playing in the stadium where he led Palmeiras to the league title last year. “It is an immense happiness to be able to return where everything began, where I realised my dream, and I created a quick history with the help of the companions that I had here,” he said. “I always had the happiness of having the affection of the fans of Palmeiras, and this has never changed. Whenever I meet supporters they treat me with affection.” Gabriel Jesus