In only his first season in Portugal, Nigeria international defender Elderson Echiejile was part of the Sporting Braga team who went all the way to the final of the Europa League as well as finished fourth in the Portuguese championship. However, injury limited his appearances for Braga especially around the business end of the season. In this interview with MTNFootball.com he opened up on a possible move from Braga and also speaks on his injury crisis, his 10 million Euros price tag as well as his international future.
Tell us about your pre-season training at your Portuguese club, Sporting Braga now.
It has not been easy as we now train twice a day and also get to play some friendly games. This is expected after the holidays. We now have to work a lot so as to have another good season.
Will Braga be training outside Portugal as part of their pre-season build-up?
This new week the team will be at a border town between Spain and Portugal for more training and concentration.
How are you looking forward to your second season in Portugal?
I enjoyed a good start last season, but my appearances were limited towards the end of the season because a muscle strain I suffered.
Have you fully recovered from this injury?
I’m working with my club physio, have started running but yet to kick a ball with the rest of the squad. I prefer to take it easy and ensure that I strengthen the muscles around my hamstring.?
This injury has recurred thrice now and to think that I only had this problem only once in my three years in France. I’m trying to do my rehabilitation well now, relax and slowly build up the muscles, and I hope that going forward, I won’t have any such problem again. Hopefully I should be fit and ready in about three weeks.
In May, your club played in the Europa League final against fellow Portuguese club Porto.
I was on the bench for that game.
You went on to lose to Porto.
It was painful because we were looking forward to winning this trophy.
Braga finished fourth on the table last season, what are the targets for the new season?
We want to finish among the top teams season after season. We also want to do well in Europe as we did last season by getting as far as the Europa League final. We will work towards all these.
Porto are the defending champions, so who would be bet on to win the championship this coming season?
I will pick my club. You could accuse me of being sentimental, but I will have to be in this case.
Porto are a very good team and they have retained most of their players from the past season with only the coach (Andre Villas-Boas) leaving.
At Braga, we sold some of their players and signed up some new players and were able to maintain a fine balance and so we’re hopeful of having a good season.
Would you say you are really settled in Portugal?
You become comfortable in a place the more time you stay there. I’m settling down.
There are speculations about your future with reports suggesting you want out from Braga.
If something good comes, I would look at it especially if it will be in the interest of both my club and I.
Where would you be looking to go?
I have not given this much thought.
Braga is demanding as much as 10 million Euros to let you go.
I wouldn’t know because I have not discussed with the club in this regard, but when the time comes, I will know.
Are you worth 10 million Euros?
It depends on how you look at it but I usually don’t worry my head with the business aspects of the game as much as possible.
Any offers on the table yet?
No. If any comes, it will be open for all to know.
Your injury problems mean you have been shut out of the Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is trying to build.
It’s only natural if you are not playing games or injured, you won’t be invited. But very soon I will be ready to play for my country again. I’m looking forward to that time.
Have you spoken with Siasia?
Yes, we spoke during the holidays when I was back in Nigeria for the Kanu testimonial in Lagos.
Do you miss the national team?
I do, any good player would.
As a former U-17 and U-20 player, what do you expect from the current U-20 in Portugal preparing for the World Cup in Colombia?
It’s a good tournament for any young player. I see them achieving a lot but they need to work hard and be focussed.
There is a Nigerian youngster at Porto now, Mikel Agu. How do you rate him?
He is a fantastic player with a very bright future. I have watched him play and he will be a really great star in a season or two.
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