City striker confident of making Premier League transition
CITY striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel is confident of making a swift transition to life in the Premier League once pre-season training starts with the Canaries next month.The Dutch international will arrive in Norfolk in the next few weeks and will soon meet up with his new team-mates and surroundings for the first time since his move to Norwich and the Premier League was confirmed from Sporting Lisbon in March.
Now eager to get his first shot in one of the world’s biggest leagues, he is confident that he can make an instant impression at Carrow Road. Speaking exclusively to Canaries.co.uk he said: “This was the only competition I really wanted to go and play in.
“I’ve never really had that much trouble getting used to a new competition or new team so I hope I can do the same again. But you have to work hard of course, you have to bring your quality and add that to the team and we’ll see how it works out, but I have a really great feeling about it.
“I am really looking forward to meeting up with the team and playing my first game at Carrow Road. I really can’t wait.”
The transition to the renowned physicality and tempo of the Barclays Premier League has often been seen as one of the toughest tests for a footballer set to ply his trade in England for the first time.
However, last season saw Swansea City’s Michu and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke quickly grab the headlines in their first season in England’s top flight scoring 18 and 19 goals respectively. It is that impact that Ricky is looking to emulate with the Canaries this season, building on two good years in Portugal with Sporting.
“I think the Portuguese league is more in between the Dutch league and the Premier League,” said van Wolfswinkel, “I think I have made the steps smaller, it was great to go to Portugal for my development and I’m sure that I improved a lot over there in the two years.
“During that time I of course played a few games against English clubs in the Europa League and scored against English teams so I know what I have to do and I know what I can do in the Premier League.
“They all say of course that it is more physical, but on the other hand I think I have the qualities and good movements to make it difficult for some defenders and I really hope that I can play my game and stamp that on the Premier League. It’s a perfect move for me.”
And it is a move that has already seen him take the first steps to settling in the county, saying: “I’ve just found a house with my girlfriend we will live there together and I’m sure my family will come over many many times.
“It’s a new step in my career, I’ve signed for Norwich because I really want to be there and for me I’m just counting down the days now and I really can’t wait for next month.”
Watch the full exclusive interview with Ricky van Wolfswinkel now on Canaries Player. Parts one and two now online. To sign-up visit www.player.canaries.co.uk.