Portuguese newspaper Record today features a six-page interview with Sporting star Bruno Fernandes. That’s just the first part of the chat, and as they say on the front page, ‘no questions were left without answers’.
It’s not hard to guess what the main topic was. There were several questions about the midfielder’s possible departure last summer, when Tottenham Hotspur had their bid rejected by the Lions.
Bruno was asked if he ‘thought about leaving’, and if ‘that was the right time’, and he confirmed that there was a real chance to join Spurs.
“Yes. In the summer I thought I could go out. I believed it was a good time to leave due to many factors. I made the best season of my career to date. After the League of Nations there were already many contacts, especially with Tottenham,” Bruno told Record.
“They were the team who wanted me the most and were the only one I agreed to talk with, because there were other clubs that didn’t interest me or whose project wasn’t up to my expectations. Tottenham fit into everything I wish I had at that moment. It’s an appealing league.
“Knowing that Tottenham would be willing to pay for me and make every possible effort to take me, leaves a player eager to take that step. Regardless, I always kept my word that it was up to Sporting to decide whether or not. Nothing changed my desire to be here and to want to stay here. Sporting gave me affection, gave me a lot. It was of great pride and honour to continue representing Sporting.”
On his ‘focus’ at Sporting while the Premier League transfer window was about to close, Bruno claims it was never a problem.
“No. Not the focus. I am an atypical boy, because entering the pitch I forget what surrounds me. There are reasons that move us. But when it comes to transfers, I’ve always been out a lot, because I’ve been through this in Italy. At Udinese I was about to leave for three years, and they never let me out, either. Three years of big clubs behind me and I kept my stance because what I like to do is play. I’m happy to play. So, here or elsewhere, I’ll be quiet about it. Obviously, the transfer market moves any player, especially when we know which clubs are after us or want us, but I’ve always tried to stay focused because the image I want to leave at Sporting is that up to the last day I’m here, I will always do my best and continue to do my best.”
Regarding José Mourinho’s quotes when saying Fernandes was too expensive for Tottenham’s budget, the player said: “I don’t know what ‘budget’ they gave Mister Mourinho [smiles] for the transfer window, nor am I aware of what he wants. What I do know is that Tottenham’s interest was also the interest of the coach who isn’t there now.”
On the compliments made by Mourinho in the summer, Bruno said: “Yes, in the summer. They tried here to ‘sell me’ in a way that wasn’t quite right, because those words were spoken a long time ago and in a completely different context. Mister Mourinho saying he thinks I’m a good player doesn’t have to be a sign that he wants to buy me. I think there are a lot of other coaches who might think I’m a good player but still may not want to buy me.
“I see those words as a compliment. Of course each one draws their own conclusions, but the Mister saying that I’m not for the value of what Tottenham can spend… I saw it with ease, because he’s a coach who has achieved everything and deserves a lot of respect. In Portugal, with his quality and for so many years in a row at the highest level, we are practically talking about Cristiano Ronaldo of the coaches. Even if I said I had no interest for his team, he’s a person I have a lot of respect for, because he raised the name of Portugal.”
Record will be releasing the second part of the interview on Friday, so there should be still a lot more to come.
