Finally exiting his Stoke nightmare, Giannelli Imbula got the move he wanted towards the end of the transfer window, as a return to Ligue 1 presented itself.
Monaco were the first, but their dilly-dallying started to frustrate the 25-year-old, and when Toulouse came forward, the former Marseille starlet jumped at the opportunity to rekindle his career.
Bought from Porto for a record fee, Imbula never managed to convince Mark Hughes he deserved a regular starting spot at bet365 Stadium, much to the player’s displeasure.
Speaking in a press conference on Monday following his loan to the south of France, relayed by L’Equipe, the defensive midfielder explained his decision to the media.
He said: “I needed to find a club in which I’d be able to express myself. I had other offers than Toulouse’s, but the fact the club is like a family, with a young dressing room that lives well were factors that helped me make my decision.”
As for what he hopes to achieve during his temporary spell with Pascal Dupraz’s team, Imbula only has one thing in mind.
He added: “Today, all I want to do is find pleasure in playing again. I haven’t played a game in a month. I’m not 100%, but I’m ready to start. I need those sensations back. I can offer penetration, verticality and my technical ability to this team”.
During his time with the Potters, Imbula scored two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.
