After having moved to White Hart Lane on loan from Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor has made an instant impact and manager Harry Redknapp believes he can become “a big hero” at Tottenham after he netted on his debut in the 2-0 win at Wolves.
Emmanuel Adebayor was once one of the most hated players in the eyes of Tottenham fans but that looks about to change.
During his time at their bitter rivals Arsenal, Adebayor was often the subject of abuse from the stands but football fans are notoriously a fickle bunch.
Having moved to White Hart Lane on loan from Manchester City, he has made an instant impact in his bid to win over the supporters and manager Harry Redknapp believes he can become “a big hero” at Tottenham after he netted on his debut in the 2-0 win at Wolves.
Redknapp believes Adebayor should be accepted by the Spurs fans and said: “Ade has got off to a good start so it is fantastic for him. He has got to sustain that now and he can become a big hero at Tottenham. Listen, Patrick Vieira wanted to come to Tottenham two years ago. I met Patrick, went around his house, had a cup of tea.
“If Patrick wants to come to Tottenham, anyone can come to Tottenham who has played for Arsenal because you are talking about Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Vieira, the great legends.
“He was willing to come. Listen, they are professional footballers, not murderers. Why can't Ade go and play for another team?”
Adebayor is determined to impress the Tottenham fans but he insists he has nothing to prove to the hierarchy at Manchester City during his loan spell. He said: “Everyone in this country knows what I am capable of doing. I showed it with Arsenal, I showed it on my debut with Manchester City and I showed that again for Tottenham.
“Before buying me, City knew what I am capable of doing. But the view of the club has changed when Roberto Mancini came in. I have a huge respect for the man. But now, I am playing for Tottenaham and I just have to do my job, to be professional.”
When asked if he may eventually return to City, Adebayor said: “Listen, it is too early to stay but the love between the club and myself is broke. “I am here (Tottenham) for a season, and at the end of the season I will still have two more years left of my contract. It's too far away to start thinking about the future. Let's maybe have a chance to talk in April or May and I will decide on my career. At the end of the season I will see what I can do. But what is important to me now is to help this team, which is Tottenham.”
Adebayor is bemused that he is no longer part of City's plans after they spent GBP25 million to sign him from Arsenal. He said: “It is more than strange. I cannot say I am the best in the world when they suddenly say I am not good enough. But I went to Real Madrid and played football and scored a lot of goals. I came back to prove to everyone that I am still a good footballer. But, if you don't allow me train with a professional team there is something wrong there. For me, it's over.
“I have to take the positives out of it. I have the chance to play for Tottenham now and that's all that matters now.”
Adebayor is delighted to be back playing for the first time in four months. He said: “No matter what happened, I always knew one day I would be back on the pitch. I always keep focused in my head and tell myself ‘Adebayor, you don't have to give up. No matter what happens, you're a human being'.
“In sport, as in life, it is up and down. I went through a lot of things during my career.
“I am just delighted to have the chance to now play 90 minutes and to have the trust of the manager when I go out.
“It's great for my confidence and I can't ask for anything better than to help the team to win.”
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