Real Sociedad striker Mohamed-Ali Cho has explained why he decided to leave Everton for a return to France as a youngster.
Cho has joined the Spanish side in a £9.9m deal this summer as he looks to take the next step in his career after a spell with Angers.
He joined the French side in 2020 after five years with Everton, having joined the Blues’ youth set-up after a spell at PSG.
He didn’t make the breakthrough at Goodison Park but was quickly put into the first-team picture at Angers, where he managed four goals and one assist in 54 appearances in all competitions.
Those numbers may not be all that impressive, but he remains highly rated and is still only 18 years old, so he still has plenty of years of development ahead of him.
Real Sociedad are hoping he will develop into a top player for them, and should he do so, it is likely Everton will be looking on with a tinge of regret at losing out on him two years ago.
Of course, they had little say in that decision, and the striker has explained why he elected to move back to France.
“We moved (to England) mainly because of my parents’ jobs,” he told El Diario Vasco.
“Then I was noticed by Everton, and we chose to play there because they have a very good structure for young players to progress as footballers. It was a good choice.
“The English game is much more intense and aggressive, and the French game is more technical and tactical. I have noticed that English football is more physical in that sense.
“We looked at the club’s sporting project. It was not so much a question of a big or small club but to give more importance to the sporting project.
“I wanted to improve as a player and have the opportunity to play a lot of matches. At Angers, I could play a lot in the first team, and that is essential for a young player like me.”
