Greek outlet Gazzetta today features an interview with Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence, who seems to have enjoyed the time he spent in the country.
The 25-year-old joined Olympiacos in 2018 in a €7m move from Sporting. He had a positive spell at the club, with 13 goals and 14 assists in 68 appearances, and talked about the huge feelings he still holds for the club.
“My opinion about Olympiakos is known. Outside of Greece, no one sees the team with the respect and appreciation that this club deserves,” Podence told Gazetta.
“But when you become an Olympiacos player, you live the daily life of the club, you realise how different everything is. Olympiacos have everything you can find in the biggest teams in the world.”
Following his positive spell in Greece, Wolves then signed Podence in a €19.6m deal in January 2020. The winger recalled what happened at the time of this move, and had to explain to Gazzetta what makes him so happy in English football.
“I was injured and a week before the match against AEK I started training. Pedro Martins wanted me to play and I told him: ‘Yes of course’. I went to the match because the coach wanted me there, because I was important to the team. He decided to leave me out of the game because the negotiations were almost over and he was afraid that maybe my mind would not be in the game.
“I’ve always made my point clear. Olympiacos will always be bigger than most teams in the world. But the Premier League in this case is something different. It gives me the opportunity to play every weekend against big teams, in big stadiums, against big players. The quality that exists and the fact that all eyes are on me make me feel better.”
Podence was also asked if he’d play for Olympiacos again, and asked to leave a message for club fans.
“Let no one doubt that.
“I am happy, like all of them, to see our team have such great success in the league and that it’s improving in European competitions. I’ll always remember you as some of the best fans in the world, with passion, desire, ambition and support. I hope to see you again.”
The interview ends with a few short questions and answers. Podence claims he prefers Cristiano over Messi, adds that his dream is to “win the Golden Ball one day”, and claims that in his free time, he likes to “read, study and learn new things”.
