DOSSENA: I'M HALF ITALIAN, HALF ENGLISH
Jimmy Rice 10 July 2008
New signing Andrea Dossena claims Liverpool have signed an Italian defender with an English heart.
The 27-year-old left-back hopes a combination of determination and quality on the ball will make his transition from Serie A to the Premier League an easy one.
He admits training at Melwood is faster than what he is used to but insists his 'half-English, half Italian' style will see him through.
In his first interview since arriving from Udinese, Dossena told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Even from training I realise English football is different.
"It's all about possession and the ball seems to move quicker. There is also a great determination among the players in training, but these are all qualities that are characteristic of me too. In this way, I feel half English, half Italian."
Dossena is seen as a direct replacement for the outgoing John Arne Riise, who travelled in the opposite direction after signing for Roma.
Rafa Benitez has already revealed how both the left-back and fellow new boy Philipp Degen are ready to go straight into the first team – words that are music to the ears of a man desperate to pull on a red jersey for the first time.
"It is an honour to be wearing such a prestigious shirt.," said Dossena. "It was great for me that Liverpool were so determined to have me in their squad. It is a very important shirt to wear and I will do my best. I have a great will to work hard and succeed and achieve great results.
"Of course I'll feel very strong emotions when I wear the shirt at Anfield for the first time but after the first few seconds these will be replaced by a focus on what I am doing.
"There are so many great players here and I hope to be playing beside them as soon as possible.
"I believe I will bring determination as my main strength. I have a will to succeed and achieve results. These are also characteristics I have seen in Liverpool as a team."
Dossena arrived on Merseyside a week ago before training with his teammates for the first time.
His new boss is one of very few Italian speakers at the club, but the defender claims his broken English is getting him by with the likes of Jamie Carragher.
"I have been able to talk to my teammates but of course I have had to talk a little slower and maybe they have too, so they understand me better," he said.
"I have been very impressed with the facilities and also with the very good atmosphere in the dressing room.
"The talks I have had with Benitez have mostly been about tactics. He has explained that he wants a four-man defence but that the most important thing is that the balance on the pitch is never broken. There must be balance between the left and right-backs."
Dossena arrived at Anfield with a single cap to his name, making him the first Italian international to play for the Reds.
It's a fact he's immensely proud of – and he believes playing for one of the biggest teams in Europe can only aid his international ambitions.
"The Premier League is followed and it will be up to the national manager to watch the players abroad," he said. "I am aware, though, that I am at the most prestigious team in England. There are other players who play abroad who are getting caps, like Luca Toni."
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I like him already, seem the type of left back we need. Good going forward, strong and sounds a very determined and commited person. Perhaps he can take Insua under his wing, teach him some more things eventually to make him an even better young talent and aid him breaking into the first team.
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