Nati shooting star Zeki Amdouni: That’s my new life in England

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27. Is not Zeki Amdouni’s shirt number, but the number of goals he has scored for FC Basel, the A and U21 national teams since the beginning of the year until he was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the European U21 Championship. An amazing record with which the 22-year-old finally made himself known to Swiss football fans. And who helped him with the transition from FC Basel to the Premier League promoted Burnley.

From the Super League to the best league in the world. The fact that this step in the past (from FCB to Chelsea in 2013) was too big for Mohamed Salah did not stop Amdouni. “Because there is a clear plan for me that the Burnley coach has shown me.” His name is Vincent Kompany, he is a legend at Manchester City and is now drawing attention to himself with his promotion to the English elite league with Burnley.

Amdouni has no problem getting used to it

“He had me on the radar for a long time and told me that he really wanted me,” says Amdouni on Wednesday after training at the A-Nati.

Amdouni’s record to date proves that these were not just empty words: the striker has been in the starting line-up in all league games and even scored the cup-winning goal against Nottingham. “The adjustment was not difficult. The coach and many teammates speak French, which helps. And my English is also getting better, although I don’t really have the courage to use it yet,” says Amdouni with a smile.

He had heard voices calling the jump to the Premier League too big. ‘But that doesn’t interest me. I know what I can do and I feel good.” When asked what the biggest difference is with football in Switzerland, he replies: “Physically it is different, the game is incredibly fast and after losing the ball it immediately goes the other way. Technically, however, the difference is not that great.”

‘We will be challenged’

And how is life in the small town of Burnley (81,000 inhabitants) in the north of England? Amdouni thinks – and then skilfully dribbles around the blunder: ‘Let’s put it this way: Burnley is a football town, everything revolves around the club. Life is more fun and better in Switzerland. Fortunately, I have now been able to leave the hotel and find an apartment.”

From that perspective it is nice to be home for a few days. In front of the picturesque Alpine panorama, Amdouni in Valais is preparing with the national team for the European Championship qualifiers in Kosovo and against Andorra. After his strong performances in the spring, he should be at the heart of the attack, but he especially warns about Saturday night’s game in Pristina: “It’s always complicated when you’re away from home. And Kosovo has some good players in the team. We will be challenged.”

Source : Blick