After refusing to allow Mousa Dembele to leave during the last summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with the midfielder in the winter market.
In January, the 31-year-old had less than six months left on his contract with the north London club and left Spurs for Guangzhou R&F and a reported fee of £11m.
When he joined Guangzhou R&F, the former Fulham man was injured from his time at Tottenham and since regaining full fitness, the Belgian has made three appearances for his new club.
The player’s father, Yaya Dembele gave an interview to DH in Belgium and explained he advised his son to make a switch to the Far East.
“It’s a long way off, but it’s a new challenge. To be a little further away, without too many people around you, can do good. To think, to take time for your children. He asked me for advice but he decided in the end,” Dembele Sr explained.
After leaving the Premier League for China in January, Yaya claims Mousa is enjoying his life after Tottenham in a league which is still competitive enough.
“It is not a championship so easy, it is more complicated than people think. The opposition are not kids, they play well and fast,” he stressed.
“He likes to discover, to know new things, he will develop in contact with new people.”
Yaya is yet to visit his son in China and he also revealed his biggest worry with the midfielder’s decision to join Guangzhou.
“This [missing grandchildren] is the biggest concern of his [Mosua’s] departure for me,” added Yaya.
“But I have them on the phone every night before they go to sleep, we talk a lot about the family, about his life there, and I can assure you that he feels great in China. He loves his new everyday life and complains about nothing.”
